CVE-2015-2492 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-2015-2490, CVE-2015-2494, CVE-2015-2498, and CVE-2015-2499.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11, classified under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the browser's rendering engine, specifically impacting how Internet Explorer processes certain web content structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to render specific elements, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level of the browser's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard security mitigations.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves manipulating object references and memory pointers through crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code that causes the browser to access invalid memory locations. When Internet Explorer encounters malformed content, the memory corruption can result in either arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, where the browser crashes and becomes unresponsive. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious payloads. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of heap-based memory corruption, where attackers can manipulate heap metadata to redirect execution flow or corrupt critical memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it affects a wide range of Internet Explorer versions spanning multiple years of the browser's lifecycle. Organizations running legacy systems with IE7 through IE11 are particularly at risk since these versions may not receive timely security updates or may have outdated security configurations. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors who can leverage it to establish footholds in enterprise networks. The memory corruption can occur during normal browsing activities when users visit compromised websites, making it extremely difficult to defend against through traditional network security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, as well as implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing strict content security policies. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and network segmentation to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Browser isolation techniques and sandboxing mechanisms provide additional layers of protection against memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing comprehensive patch management programs, as the affected versions of Internet Explorer have reached end-of-life status and no longer receive security updates. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems.