CVE-2015-2422 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-2015-2385, CVE-2015-2390, CVE-2015-2397, CVE-2015-2404, and CVE-2015-2406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically affects the browser's memory management mechanisms during web page rendering and object manipulation processes, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities without user interaction. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and classified under CWE-121 as "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and CWE-122 as "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" within the CWE taxonomy. The attack vector operates through the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities that allow attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user. This particular vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues including CVE-2015-2385, CVE-2015-2390, CVE-2015-2397, CVE-2015-2404, and CVE-2015-2406, which indicates a unique code path or memory handling mechanism within the affected IE versions. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to gain elevated privileges and establish persistent access. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK matrix under the technique T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The memory corruption occurs when Internet Explorer processes malformed objects or data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, creating a broad attack surface across various organizational environments. The exploitation typically requires a malicious web page that triggers the specific memory handling flaw, often through JavaScript or ActiveX controls that manipulate memory objects in unexpected ways. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through drive-by downloads or compromised websites that automatically trigger the memory corruption when loaded in the browser. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Internet Explorer was widely used across enterprise environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the memory handling routines and implemented additional protections against memory corruption attacks. The remediation process requires immediate patching of all affected IE versions, with particular attention to legacy versions like IE6 and IE7 that are no longer supported by Microsoft but may still be in use in certain environments. Security professionals should implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious web content that may exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of browser sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms that can prevent exploitation even when memory corruption occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as exploit protection frameworks, application whitelisting, and user privilege management to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for unpatched IE installations to identify and remediate potential exposure to this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of securing legacy browser environments and the critical need for organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches across all software platforms.