CVE-2015-0038 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0042 and CVE-2015-0046.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when visited by victims using affected IE versions, trigger memory corruption that may result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site, making it particularly effective for drive-by download attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when Internet Explorer processes malformed or specially crafted web content. The attack vector typically involves manipulating the browser's memory management routines through carefully constructed HTML, JavaScript, or ActiveX components that cause buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain access to systems. The memory corruption can manifest as heap corruption, stack corruption, or other memory management failures that allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks, as successful exploitation often results in code running with the same privileges as the compromised browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected Internet Explorer versions, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for gaining unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to target systems, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation campaigns. This vulnerability contributed to numerous high-profile attacks and was frequently exploited in the wild due to the widespread use of Internet Explorer across enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the browser's rendering engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls and filtering malicious content at the perimeter. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and implement user education programs to reduce the risk of visiting malicious websites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical need for organizations to have robust vulnerability management processes in place. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other browser components or applications.