CVE-2015-0039 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 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-2015-0027, CVE-2015-0035, CVE-2015-0052, and CVE-2015-0068.
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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 10 and 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements. Attackers can craft specially designed web pages that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption when the browser attempts to render malicious content, leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw operates at a low level within the browser's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious page is loaded.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulating memory structures that Internet Explorer uses to store and process web page elements. When the browser encounters crafted content, it fails to properly validate input data before allocating memory resources, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical system memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The exploitation technique typically follows the ATT&CK framework's T1203 pattern for exploitation for execution, where adversaries leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain control over the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to complete system infiltration and data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects both Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems when using Internet Explorer 10 and 11, making it particularly widespread in enterprise environments where these browsers remain in use. Organizations running legacy systems or those that have not applied security patches face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through drive-by downloads or compromised websites without any user interaction required.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor released specific fixes for this vulnerability in their regular security bulletin cycle. Network administrators should implement browser isolation techniques and consider deploying web application firewalls to block malicious content before it reaches user systems. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict browser security policies that disable unnecessary features and restrict access to untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to adversaries. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory allocation patterns and browser process behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.