CVE-2015-0052 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-2015-0039, 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 and objects in memory. Attackers can craft specially designed web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions when the browser attempts to render malicious content, leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw operates at a fundamental 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. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web browsers. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of specific JavaScript objects or DOM elements, where the browser fails to properly validate memory boundaries, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability differs from related issues such as CVE-2015-0027 and CVE-2015-0035, which affect different components of the browser architecture. The attack vector requires a victim to visit a malicious website, making it particularly concerning in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The memory corruption manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that can be leveraged by attackers to gain full system control. Organizations running these affected browser versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited in the wild without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site. The exploitation typically involves crafting JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption through specific object manipulation patterns, leading to code execution in the context of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass security measures such as data execution prevention and address space layout randomization, as the memory corruption occurs within the trusted browser environment. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based memory corruption aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1566 for social engineering attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through various post-exploitation techniques including privilege escalation, credential theft, and installation of additional malware. The memory corruption affects the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, making it particularly effective against users who regularly browse the internet. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it highly effective for large-scale attacks. Security researchers have identified that the flaw can be chained with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack vectors, potentially allowing attackers to bypass modern security mitigations such as ASLR and DEP. The vulnerability affects both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer 10 and 11, making it particularly widespread across affected systems. Microsoft's patch for this vulnerability addresses the memory handling issues in the browser's object model and implements additional memory validation checks to prevent the corruption conditions from occurring. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment and implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing content security policies to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying Microsoft's security patches and updates, specifically the patches released in the February 2015 security bulletin. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures such as disabling ActiveX controls, restricting JavaScript execution, and implementing strict content filtering policies. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and proxy servers can help detect and block malicious web content before it reaches user browsers. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to memory handling and object manipulation, which can be addressed through proper input validation and memory management practices. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections, suspicious process activity, and anomalous browser behavior. The vulnerability's relationship to other related CVEs such as CVE-2015-0039 and CVE-2015-0068 indicates that attackers may be using multiple vulnerabilities in coordinated attacks. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected browser versions and implement layered security approaches including email filtering, web content filtering, and user education programs. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 and its exploitation techniques align with standard security frameworks and threat modeling approaches, making it easier for security teams to identify and address similar issues. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability's impact on enterprise environments underscores the need for comprehensive incident response procedures and security monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.