CVE-2015-1660 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 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 • 05/06/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service when users visit malicious websites. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web content structures. The flaw exists in the way the browser manages memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability involves the exploitation of buffer overflow conditions within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and HTML parser components. Attackers can craft specially designed web pages that contain malformed data structures which, when processed by the vulnerable browser, cause memory corruption that can be leveraged to gain control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 CWE category, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw that operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and access potentially malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include significant risks for enterprise security and user safety. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability can also lead to denial of service conditions where the browser crashes or becomes unresponsive, disrupting normal business operations and potentially causing data loss. Organizations running Internet Explorer 9 are particularly vulnerable because the browser's architecture lacks modern memory protection mechanisms that would prevent exploitation of such flaws. The vulnerability affects users across all supported operating systems and can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, phishing emails with embedded web content, or compromised web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams to implement multiple layers of protection. The most effective approach involves applying the relevant Microsoft security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in Internet Explorer 9. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious websites that exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, security teams should deploy endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in the mitre attack framework where such memory corruption vulnerabilities represent common initial access vectors for advanced persistent threats. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the organization's browser infrastructure.