CVE-2015-2388 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and 9 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-2015-1738.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affected the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering processes, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory structures and gain unauthorized system access. The flaw manifested when Internet Explorer encountered specially constructed web pages that triggered improper memory handling, leading to potential code execution or system instability. This vulnerability represented a distinct issue from CVE-2015-1738, indicating separate memory corruption mechanisms within the browser's architecture. The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability posed significant risk to organizations relying on legacy Internet Explorer versions, as it could be exploited through simple web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious sites. The attack vector primarily exploited the browser's JavaScript engine and memory management subsystems, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of Internet Explorer in enterprise environments. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability stemmed from insufficient bounds checking during memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This flaw directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain code execution privileges. The impact extended beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft, as attackers could leverage the memory corruption to escalate privileges and access sensitive information. Organizations running these vulnerable versions faced heightened risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where legacy systems remained operational. The vulnerability demonstrated the dangers of supporting outdated browser versions, as the memory management flaws had persisted for years without proper remediation. Microsoft addressed this issue through security updates that corrected the memory handling routines and implemented additional bounds checking mechanisms. The remediation process required organizations to deploy patches promptly, as the vulnerability remained exploitable in unpatched systems. This particular vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing layered security approaches to protect against memory corruption exploits. The flaw also underscored the need for regular security assessments of legacy systems and the critical importance of timely patch management processes. Organizations that failed to apply the necessary security updates remained vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that could result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to corporate networks. The vulnerability served as a reminder of the persistent threats posed by legacy software and the necessity of migrating away from unsupported browser versions to maintain adequate security postures.