CVE-2015-0056 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2015-1623 and CVE-2015-1626.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue 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 vulnerable systems. The vulnerability specifically affects IE11's rendering engine and occurs during the processing of malformed web content that triggers heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. Security researchers identified this as a distinct vulnerability from CVE-2015-1623 and CVE-2015-1626, indicating it operates through different code paths and exploitation techniques. The memory corruption occurs at the browser level when IE attempts to parse and render malicious web elements, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting web content that triggers specific memory handling errors within IE11's JavaScript engine or rendering components. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that, when loaded in IE11, cause the browser to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user. The memory corruption typically manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, representing common memory safety issues in browser implementations. The exploitation mechanism follows patterns consistent with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for scripting languages and T1203 for legitimate programs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain persistent access to affected systems, potentially enabling further reconnaissance and lateral movement within network environments. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to disrupt business operations by causing browser crashes or system instability. Organizations running IE11 on Windows systems face significant risk as this vulnerability affects the browser's core functionality and can be triggered through normal web browsing activities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when users visit compromised websites or click on malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where user behavior cannot be fully controlled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues through code fixes and memory management improvements. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Network-based mitigations can include web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that detect and block malicious web content. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and email attachments that could trigger this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous browser behavior or memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of IE11 and ensure timely patch deployment across all affected systems.