CVE-2015-0046 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-2015-0042.
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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 through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems 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 specifically affects the browser's rendering engine and memory management mechanisms, allowing adversaries to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass standard security protections. This vulnerability is distinct from related issues CVE-2015-0038 and CVE-2015-0042, indicating separate code paths and exploitation techniques. The memory corruption occurs during normal web page processing, making it particularly dangerous as users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or viewing crafted web content in the browser.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-0046 leverages memory corruption vulnerabilities that fall under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers typically craft malicious web pages containing specially formatted data structures that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption when processed by Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine or rendering components. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious advertisements, compromised websites, or phishing campaigns that deliver the malicious payload through web browsers. The memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the browser. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security implications for organizations relying on Internet Explorer. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users across different operating systems including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012, creating a broad attack surface for threat actors. Organizations face potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement opportunities when this vulnerability is exploited, as attackers can establish persistent access through the executed malicious code. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service in addition to remote code execution means that attackers can simultaneously disrupt business operations and gain unauthorized access to systems. The exploitability of this vulnerability through web-based attacks makes it particularly challenging to defend against, as traditional network-based security measures may not detect the malicious activity until after compromise has occurred.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0046 should include immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as part of regular security maintenance procedures. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The use of security solutions such as exploit protection mechanisms, web application firewalls, and advanced threat detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify known malicious domains and IP addresses associated with exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for users can help prevent social engineering attacks that may deliver malicious content through web-based delivery mechanisms. Organizations should also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and containment of potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's nature makes it difficult to detect through conventional security monitoring approaches. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework includes techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070 for indicator removal, indicating the need for comprehensive monitoring and response capabilities.