CVE-2015-0053 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 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-2015-0045.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 suffered from a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affected the browser's handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes when processing certain web page elements, creating exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by threat actors. The flaw manifested when Internet Explorer encountered specially crafted HTML or JavaScript code that triggered improper memory management operations, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption that could be exploited to gain unauthorized system access. This vulnerability represents a classic example of a memory safety issue that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector required an attacker to host malicious content on a web server and entice a victim to visit the page using a vulnerable Internet Explorer version, making it particularly dangerous in targeted phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability's impact extended beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor establishment within affected systems. Organizations running these legacy browser versions faced significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack surfaces including email attachments, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics. The flaw's classification as a memory corruption vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers could leverage the initial compromise to execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability highlighted the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as Microsoft had released patches for this issue through their regular security updates, but many organizations failed to deploy these fixes in a timely manner. The attack complexity was relatively low since it only required a user to navigate to a malicious website, making it particularly effective against less security-aware users. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability demonstrated how improper handling of dynamic memory allocation in web browsers could create persistent security risks that remained exploitable even after initial discovery, emphasizing the need for robust memory safety practices in browser development. This particular vulnerability underscored the dangers of legacy software support and the importance of maintaining current security postures, as Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 were no longer receiving security updates from Microsoft, leaving organizations exposed to continued exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics aligned with the broader class of heap-based buffer overflow issues that have historically plagued web browsers, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams managing older systems. Security professionals noted that this vulnerability could be detected through network traffic analysis and endpoint monitoring, but the lack of signature-based detection made it particularly challenging to identify and prevent in real-time environments. The remediation process required complete browser replacement or patching, which many organizations found difficult to implement due to compatibility concerns with legacy applications that relied on older Internet Explorer functionality. This vulnerability exemplified the ongoing struggle between maintaining backward compatibility and implementing necessary security updates, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy application dependencies created barriers to modernization. The attack surface for this vulnerability extended across multiple network protocols and user interaction points, making comprehensive protection challenging. Security researchers emphasized that the vulnerability's exploitation required minimal user interaction, which made it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios. The vulnerability's persistence in older browser versions highlighted the importance of security awareness training and the need for organizations to establish robust patch management processes. This case study demonstrated how a single memory corruption flaw could serve as a gateway for more sophisticated attacks, including credential theft, lateral movement, and persistent system compromise. The vulnerability's impact was particularly severe in environments where users had administrative privileges, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover. Organizations that failed to address this vulnerability through patching or browser replacement faced increased risk of advanced persistent threats and data breaches. The vulnerability's technical characteristics made it a prime target for exploit development by both nation-state actors and criminal organizations seeking to leverage legacy system weaknesses. Security vendors and researchers continue to reference this vulnerability as an example of how memory safety issues in widely used software can create persistent security risks that require immediate attention and remediation. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of memory corruption issues demonstrates the fundamental importance of proper memory management in software development and the critical need for regular security assessments of deployed applications. This vulnerability served as a catalyst for improved browser security practices and highlighted the necessity of automated patch deployment systems to protect against similar issues in the future. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability were well-documented in threat intelligence reports, showing how attackers frequently leveraged these memory corruption flaws to establish initial access points in target networks. The vulnerability's exploitation techniques required minimal sophistication, making it accessible to threat actors of varying skill levels while still providing substantial impact potential. The security community's response to this vulnerability emphasized the importance of vulnerability management processes and the need for organizations to maintain current security postures across all deployed software systems.