CVE-2015-1625 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1634.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11, classified under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling when processing crafted web content, specifically targeting the browser's memory management systems during web page rendering and script execution. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, triggers memory corruption through malformed data structures or improper buffer handling.
The technical exploitation occurs through carefully crafted web pages that manipulate how Internet Explorer allocates and manages memory during rendering processes. When the browser encounters malformed content, particularly in JavaScript execution contexts or HTML parsing routines, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory locations contain executable code or when the corruption affects control flow structures like return addresses or function pointers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's memory space, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and persistent access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish backdoor access to compromised systems. The widespread adoption of Internet Explorer across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors, as it provides a vector for targeting large user bases. Additionally, the memory corruption can lead to denial of service conditions where the browser crashes or becomes unstable, disrupting legitimate user operations and potentially enabling further exploitation attempts through crash-based attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying the relevant Microsoft security patches, enabling enhanced security features like Address Space Layout Randomization and Data Execution Prevention, and implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070 for indicator removal, as attackers can use the compromised browser to execute malicious scripts and establish persistence. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, such as disabling unnecessary browser features, restricting JavaScript execution, and employing sandboxing technologies to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer and ensure timely patch deployment.