CVE-2015-1711 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2015-1658, CVE-2015-1706, CVE-2015-1717, and CVE-2015-1718.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through specially crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory operations during web page rendering and script execution processes. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters malformed or maliciously constructed web elements that trigger improper memory management behaviors within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-1658, CVE-2015-1706, CVE-2015-1717, and CVE-2015-1718, this particular issue represents a distinct memory corruption vector that exploits weaknesses in how the browser manages heap memory during dynamic content processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory handling during the execution of JavaScript code and HTML element rendering within Internet Explorer 11. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML constructs that, when processed by the browser, cause memory corruption through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors. The vulnerability typically occurs when the browser's memory allocator fails to properly validate or handle memory allocation requests for dynamically generated content, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can then be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user or cause the browser to crash through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include significant security implications for enterprise environments and individual users. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within affected systems. The vulnerability affects all versions of Internet Explorer 11 running on supported Windows operating systems, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where legacy browser support is maintained. Organizations may experience widespread security incidents as attackers develop and deploy exploits targeting this vulnerability, potentially leading to data breaches, insider threat scenarios, and extended compromise periods due to the difficulty in detecting and mitigating such memory-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in Internet Explorer 11's rendering engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as enabling enhanced security features, restricting access to potentially malicious websites through content filtering systems, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized code. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based protections including intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts and web application firewalls that can block malicious content before it reaches user browsers. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading content from unknown sources, as social engineering remains a common delivery method for exploits targeting such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving execution through web-based attacks and privilege escalation through browser exploitation.