CVE-2015-2494 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 and Microsoft Edge allow 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-2015-2492, 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 and Microsoft Edge browsers. The issue stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating opportunities for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious websites that trigger the memory corruption during normal browser operation, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the browser attempts to access memory locations beyond allocated boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. This flaw operates at the core level of browser memory management, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through standard security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves JavaScript engine memory corruption within the browser's rendering stack, specifically affecting how the browser handles object references and memory allocation during web page processing. When a user visits a malicious website containing crafted JavaScript or HTML elements, the browser's memory management system becomes compromised, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including heap corruption, stack overflow conditions, or use-after-free scenarios that create exploitable states. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple browser versions, making it a widespread concern for organizations maintaining legacy browser environments. Security researchers have identified that the flaw typically requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website, though some variants may be exploitable through automated means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where legacy browser support remains necessary for business applications. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network perimeters when attackers successfully exploit this memory corruption. The vulnerability's classification under attack techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) indicates that it can be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. Network security teams face challenges in detecting exploitation attempts since the memory corruption may not immediately manifest as obvious malicious activity, and the attack vectors can be disguised within legitimate web content. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer and Edge browsers creates a broad attack surface that requires comprehensive patch management strategies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, particularly for Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 and Edge browser implementations. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit potential exploitation impact. Network-based protections should include web filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious content targeting known exploitation patterns. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual browser memory usage patterns and potential exploitation attempts through endpoint detection and response systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current browser security postures and implementing zero-trust network architectures where browser interactions are continuously monitored and validated against established security baselines. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of patch compliance and testing of browser security configurations to ensure adequate protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.