CVE-2015-1622 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through malicious web content. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements and JavaScript constructs. The flaw exists in the browser's memory management system where insufficient bounds checking and validation allow attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code remotely. This vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue under CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack typically involves crafting a malicious website that triggers the vulnerable code path when a user visits the page, exploiting the browser's failure to properly validate memory operations during web page rendering. The vulnerability impacts the browser's scripting engine and memory allocation mechanisms, particularly affecting how Internet Explorer handles dynamic memory allocation for web content elements. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing and execution of web content, where the browser fails to properly validate input data before processing it in memory. This creates a condition where malicious actors can overwrite memory locations with arbitrary data, leading to code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability affects both Internet Explorer 10 and 11, representing a significant security gap in Microsoft's browser architecture that could be exploited across various operating system configurations. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Organizations running these browser versions were particularly vulnerable as the flaw existed in widely deployed software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser security and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the memory handling routines and implemented additional bounds checking. The flaw represents a classic example of how memory corruption vulnerabilities can provide attackers with complete system control, making it a high-priority target for exploitation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Internet Explorer in enterprise environments, where successful exploitation could lead to significant data breaches and system compromises. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and ensure that affected systems receive immediate patching. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing proper web content filtering measures to prevent access to malicious sites. Organizations should also consider browser hardening techniques and security configuration management to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 indicates that it represents a fundamental flaw in memory management that could be exploited across multiple attack vectors. This type of vulnerability requires careful monitoring and immediate remediation to prevent exploitation in real-world scenarios. The memory corruption vulnerability in Internet Explorer 10 and 11 represents a significant security risk that required urgent attention from system administrators and security teams. The exploitability of this vulnerability makes it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors and automated attack campaigns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection against potential exploitation attempts.