CVE-2015-0042 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-2015-0038 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 attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, specifically when processing certain JavaScript objects and DOM elements. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger buffer overflows or use after free conditions within the browser's memory management systems. The flaw exists in the way Internet Explorer processes complex web content, particularly when dealing with object manipulation and memory allocation patterns that lead to unpredictable memory corruption states. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires users to visit a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting web content that triggers specific memory corruption patterns within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine or rendering components. When a user visits a malicious site, the browser attempts to process malformed JavaScript or HTML elements that cause memory addresses to be overwritten or corrupted. This corruption can occur during object creation, property manipulation, or memory deallocation processes. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service scenarios where the browser crashes or becomes unstable. The memory corruption typically manifests as heap corruption or stack corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running browser process. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or receive malicious emails with embedded web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0042 affects organizations using Internet Explorer 9 through 11 across multiple attack surfaces including web browsing, email attachments, and web-based applications. Organizations with legacy systems running these older browser versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site, making it highly effective for mass deployment attacks. Security teams must consider the broader implications for enterprise security postures, as this vulnerability can serve as a gateway for more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, system compromise, or lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also impacts mobile and desktop environments where Internet Explorer remains a default browser or is used for specific applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft security updates, particularly those released in the April 2015 security bulletin. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and using application whitelisting to restrict browser functionality. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, filtering malicious content at the perimeter, and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider deploying exploit protection mechanisms such as DEP, ASLR, and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. Regular security assessments should include testing for this vulnerability using automated scanning tools and manual verification techniques. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds and monitoring for exploitation attempts can help detect and respond to attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure compatibility with existing applications and services.