CVE-2015-1688 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1688 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on affected systems, potentially allowing them to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw specifically resides in how Internet Explorer handles certain objects in memory, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the browser's privilege escalation mechanisms.
This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references within Internet Explorer's rendering engine, particularly when processing certain web content that triggers memory corruption issues. The technical implementation involves a use-after-free condition where an attacker can manipulate memory objects that have been freed but are still referenced, leading to arbitrary code execution. According to CWE-476, this maps to a null pointer dereference vulnerability that occurs when code attempts to access memory through a pointer that has been freed or is otherwise invalid. The flaw exists in the browser's object model handling and memory management subsystems, which are fundamental components of the security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1688 is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges from a standard user context to system-level access. This capability enables malicious actors to install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, including older versions that may still be in use within enterprise environments where legacy systems have not been properly updated. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including malicious websites, phishing emails with embedded web content, or compromised legitimate websites that serve as attack vectors.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of software exploitation to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability can be exploited through the use of malicious web content that triggers the memory corruption, making it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, browser hardening measures, and regular patch management procedures to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software up to date and implementing defense-in-depth strategies including web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and user education initiatives to reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation attempts.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates released as part of their regular patching schedule, requiring users to install the appropriate security updates to remediate the issue. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in browser security and the critical need for continuous security assessments of web-based applications and their underlying rendering engines. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues that may exist in their browser configurations and web-based applications.