CVE-2015-1751 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 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 • 05/20/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability resides in the browser's handling of memory operations during web page rendering and processing, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute malicious code on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code that triggers improper memory management behavior, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when software attempts to access memory locations beyond allocated boundaries. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Internet Explorer 10, causes the browser to improperly handle memory allocation and deallocation processes. The memory corruption occurs during the browser's rendering engine operations, specifically when processing complex web elements that trigger buffer overflow or heap corruption conditions. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and memory management, where improper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain full control over affected systems, allowing them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations using Internet Explorer 10 across various Windows operating systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy browser support remains common. Additionally, the remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches. The vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the flaw represents a critical security risk that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all Internet Explorer 10 installations are updated with the latest security fixes. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures such as browser isolation techniques, web application firewalls, and content filtering solutions to reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing strict security policies that limit the execution of potentially malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with supporting legacy browser versions in enterprise environments.