CVE-2015-2490 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2486, CVE-2015-2487, CVE-2015-2492, CVE-2015-2494, CVE-2015-2498, and CVE-2015-2499.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing crafted web content that triggers buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in a targeted browser, causes the application to allocate memory incorrectly or access memory locations outside of allocated boundaries. The flaw is classified as a memory corruption vulnerability under CWE-125, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering capabilities to execute malicious code within the context of the victim's session.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-2490 typically involves crafting web pages with malformed HTML or JavaScript code that forces Internet Explorer into memory allocation states that result in corruption. When users navigate to these malicious sites, the browser's memory management system becomes compromised, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability's impact spans across multiple IE versions, making it particularly dangerous as it affects both older legacy versions and the then-recent IE11. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain remote access, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters used for execution. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of web content, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and data breaches. Organizations running affected IE versions face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to endpoints, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website is required for exploitation to occur. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised web content through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs in the same year demonstrates a pattern of memory corruption issues in Microsoft's browser implementation, suggesting systemic weaknesses in the memory management subsystem that require comprehensive patching and mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2490 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying memory corruption issues through proper bounds checking and memory allocation procedures. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using enhanced security configurations. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and maintaining updated software versions. The vulnerability's classification under both CWE-125 and CWE-787 highlights the need for comprehensive memory safety practices in software development, including thorough input validation and proper memory management techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to detect and respond to exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.