CVE-2015-1668 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 • 05/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1668 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks through malicious web content. This vulnerability resides within the browser's handling of memory operations during web page rendering and script execution processes, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit memory management functions and inject malicious code into the target system. The flaw specifically affects the way Internet Explorer processes certain web elements, leading to unpredictable memory states that can be leveraged by threat actors to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption issues typically occur when the browser fails to properly validate input data or memory boundaries during processing of web content. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios when Internet Explorer attempts to render specific elements such as JavaScript objects, DOM manipulations, or complex web page structures. The vulnerability exploits the browser's memory management subsystem where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, particularly in legacy systems that have not been migrated to modern browser platforms. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site. The vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within network environments. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and extended attack surface expansion that can affect multiple users simultaneously.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft security patches and updates, configuring browser security settings to restrict potentially dangerous content, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include user education about safe browsing practices. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and monitoring network traffic for indicators of exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploit development and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive cybersecurity operations. The incident underscores the necessity of continuous vulnerability management programs and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities across all browser platforms and web technologies.