CVE-2015-2489 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted web site, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical elevation of privilege vulnerability that enables remote attackers to escalate their security context from low integrity to medium integrity when visiting malicious websites. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the browser's implementation of integrity levels and privilege management mechanisms. The issue specifically affects the way Internet Explorer handles security contexts when transitioning between different levels of trust within the operating system's security model.
The technical flaw resides in Internet Explorer 11's insufficient validation of security contexts during web page rendering and execution. When a user visits a malicious website, the browser fails to properly enforce the integrity level boundaries that should prevent low integrity processes from gaining elevated privileges. This allows attackers to exploit the browser's security model by crafting specially designed web content that triggers an improper privilege transition. The vulnerability manifests through the browser's handling of certain JavaScript execution contexts and object model interactions that should normally be restricted to maintain the integrity level boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute malicious code with medium integrity privileges, which typically grants access to user data, registry modifications, and the ability to install software. This elevation of privilege creates a significant risk for users who browse the internet with standard user accounts, as the attack can be initiated remotely without any local exploitation requirements. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities, making it highly accessible to threat actors who can deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites or phishing campaigns.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate privileges and permissions in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials to gain elevated privileges. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of the Windows Integrity Level (IL) mechanism that is designed to prevent processes from accessing resources beyond their designated trust boundaries. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates, implementing browser hardening measures, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper privilege management in browser security implementations and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of web browser components that handle user interactions and content rendering.