CVE-2015-1652 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-2015-1666.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2022
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code remotely. The flaw specifically impacts the browser's rendering engine and memory management subsystems, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities. This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2015-1666, indicating separate code paths and exploitation mechanisms within the Internet Explorer codebase. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of web content, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and gain arbitrary code execution privileges on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple Internet Explorer versions, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the browser's memory handling architecture that was not adequately addressed through patching mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploitation of memory management functions within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions in memory allocated for web content processing. These memory corruption scenarios typically occur when the browser attempts to handle malformed or specially constructed data structures, leading to unpredictable memory behavior. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of web content that can manipulate the browser's memory allocation patterns and execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and is classified as a memory corruption vulnerability. The attack vector operates through web-based delivery mechanisms where users visit compromised websites or click on malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such content through email attachments or web browsing activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise and organizational networks. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This enables various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Internet Explorer versions means that organizations with legacy systems or those unable to upgrade immediately face significant exposure risks. Denial of service scenarios can also occur, where the memory corruption causes browser crashes or system instability, disrupting normal business operations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations may experience significant downtime and security breaches as attackers leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including applying Microsoft security patches and updates released for affected Internet Explorer versions. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using enhanced security configurations. Network-based mitigations include deploying web application firewalls and implementing strict content filtering to prevent access to known malicious websites. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual browser behavior, memory allocation patterns, and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. System administrators should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and restricting Internet Explorer usage to trusted environments only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer, with immediate remediation prioritized for high-risk environments. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and clicking on suspicious links to reduce exploitation success rates.