CVE-2015-0041 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 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-2015-0017, CVE-2015-0020, CVE-2015-0022, CVE-2015-0026, CVE-2015-0030, CVE-2015-0031, and CVE-2015-0036.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability arose from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web pages, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw manifested as a heap-based buffer overflow or use-after-free condition within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer managed dynamic memory allocation for web content processing. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain full system control, execute malicious payloads, or cause denial of service conditions that would crash the browser and potentially the entire system. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and was tracked as part of Microsoft's security advisory MS15-001, which addressed multiple Internet Explorer vulnerabilities in the February 2015 security update. This issue represented a significant threat to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remained the primary browser, as it could be exploited through drive-by downloads or malicious advertisements. The attack surface was broad given the widespread adoption of these Internet Explorer versions across corporate networks, making it a prime target for nation-state actors and cybercriminals seeking persistent access to sensitive systems. Organizations were advised to deploy immediate patches and implement browser isolation techniques as mitigation strategies, while security teams needed to monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrated the persistent security challenges associated with legacy browser support and highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for widely deployed software components. This flaw was categorized under the attack technique T1211 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which specifically addresses exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain system access. The impact extended beyond individual user systems to encompass entire network infrastructures, particularly in environments where older Internet Explorer versions were still in use, creating a substantial risk for organizations that had not yet migrated to more secure browser alternatives. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability was particularly difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring due to its memory-based nature and the sophisticated techniques required to craft effective exploit payloads. The exploitation required careful manipulation of the browser's memory management functions and typically involved creating specific memory conditions that would trigger the underlying flaw, making it a sophisticated attack vector that required advanced knowledge of the browser's internal architecture and memory handling mechanisms. Organizations that failed to apply the relevant security updates faced significant exposure to automated exploitation attempts and targeted attacks from threat actors actively seeking to leverage this vulnerability for unauthorized access to their systems.