CVE-2015-2385 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 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-2015-2390, CVE-2015-2397, CVE-2015-2404, CVE-2015-2406, and CVE-2015-2422.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution attacks through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and use-after-free conditions that occur during the processing of specially crafted HTML elements and JavaScript code. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to render specific objects or handle dynamic content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer spanning nearly a decade, making it a widespread target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit legacy systems. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, specifically targeting the browser's rendering engine through memory corruption methods that bypass modern security mitigations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of memory structures within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and rendering components. When a user visits a malicious website containing crafted HTML elements, JavaScript code, or ActiveX controls, the browser's memory management system becomes corrupted through improper handling of object references and memory allocation. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The flaw typically manifests when Internet Explorer processes certain combinations of DOM elements, JavaScript objects, or memory allocation patterns that cause the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through simple web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. The exploitation chain often involves creating a specific memory layout that, when corrupted, allows attackers to control the instruction pointer and redirect execution flow to their malicious payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2385 extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk of data breaches, malware deployment, and persistent backdoor access to their networks. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple IE versions means that even organizations with modern security measures may have legacy systems or users who continue to operate older browsers, creating persistent attack vectors. Security researchers have documented numerous real-world exploitation attempts targeting enterprise networks, financial institutions, and government agencies that leveraged this vulnerability for advanced persistent threat campaigns. The memory corruption nature of the flaw makes it particularly challenging to detect through traditional network monitoring or endpoint protection systems, as the malicious activity often appears as normal browser behavior until the payload executes. Organizations may experience cascading security failures when this vulnerability is exploited, as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and complete compromise of user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying Microsoft's security patches and updates, which include memory corruption fixes and enhanced memory management protections. Organizations should implement mandatory browser updates and consider deploying Internet Explorer's Enhanced Security Configuration features that restrict potentially dangerous web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious web traffic, though these measures are not foolproof against zero-day exploits. The implementation of exploit prevention technologies including Data Execution Prevention, Address Space Layout Randomization, and Control Flow Guard can significantly reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected IE versions and implement browser migration strategies to transition users to modern browsers with better security track records. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated security software to minimize exposure to such memory corruption vulnerabilities.