CVE-2015-1624 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability manifested when the affected browsers processed specially crafted web pages that triggered improper memory handling during object manipulation. The flaw originated from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer handled certain JavaScript objects and memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability was classified as a memory corruption issue under CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Attackers could exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in the vulnerable browser, would cause the application to access memory locations outside of intended boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior including code execution or system crashes. The attack vector required no user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain execution privileges. The memory corruption occurred during JavaScript engine processing where objects were not properly validated before memory operations, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the browser's memory space. The impact extended beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability affected all supported versions of Internet Explorer from version 8 through 11, representing a significant attack surface across multiple browser generations. Microsoft addressed this issue through security updates that patched the memory handling routines and introduced additional validation checks for object manipulation within the browser's JavaScript engine. Organizations needed to implement immediate patch management strategies to protect their systems, as the vulnerability had been actively exploited in the wild prior to the release of security patches. The flaw demonstrated the critical importance of proper memory management in browser security and highlighted how seemingly minor implementation issues in core components could lead to severe security consequences. This vulnerability underscored the necessity of comprehensive security testing for browser components, particularly those handling dynamic content and user-provided data. The exploitation techniques leveraged common browser attack patterns including heap spraying and return-oriented programming to bypass modern security mitigations. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack scenarios, emphasizing the need for layered defense mechanisms. Organizations implementing security controls had to consider not only patching the specific vulnerability but also monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing web filtering solutions to prevent access to malicious content. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges in securing complex browser environments where thousands of lines of code interact with user input and external content. This vulnerability represented a classic example of how browser security flaws can serve as entry points for broader network compromises, making timely patch deployment essential for organizational security hygiene. The exploitation methods used for this vulnerability were documented in various security advisories and penetration testing frameworks, providing attackers with detailed techniques for successful exploitation.