CVE-2015-1748 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1743.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1748 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11, specifically targeting the browser's handling of certain memory management operations and object manipulation. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of privilege escalation attacks, where malicious actors can leverage crafted web content to execute code with elevated system privileges, potentially compromising the entire operating system. The flaw stems from improper validation of object references within the browser's rendering engine, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than normally permitted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploitation of memory corruption issues that occur when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted web content containing malicious JavaScript or ActiveX components. Attackers can construct web pages that trigger specific memory access patterns which cause the browser to improperly handle object references, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory Location" and specifically relates to buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that occur during object manipulation. The exploitation mechanism often involves techniques such as heap spraying and return-oriented programming to achieve code execution in the context of the highest privilege level available to the browser process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it allows remote attackers to compromise systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack surface is extensive given that Internet Explorer 7 through 11 were widely deployed across enterprise environments, making numerous systems vulnerable to exploitation. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain system-level privileges, potentially enabling them to install malware, modify system files, establish persistence mechanisms, or access sensitive data. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging browser-based exploits to elevate access rights. Organizations with legacy Internet Explorer installations were particularly at risk, as these older browser versions lacked modern security mitigations and were more susceptible to such memory corruption attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1748 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability through their regular security bulletin process. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls, implementing enhanced security zones, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit potential damage from exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help prevent access to known malicious domains. The implementation of modern security practices including regular security assessments, employee training on phishing awareness, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all systems helps reduce the overall attack surface. Organizations should also consider transitioning away from legacy Internet Explorer versions to more modern browsers that have better security implementations and ongoing support, as continued use of vulnerable browser versions exposes systems to ongoing exploitation risks.