CVE-2015-2541 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 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-2015-2485 and CVE-2015-2491.
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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 9 through 11, categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing malformed web content that triggers buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious websites that, when loaded in affected IE versions, cause the browser to allocate memory incorrectly or access memory regions that have already been freed, resulting in unpredictable behavior that can be exploited for remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with advanced persistent threat campaigns and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution. When a user visits a compromised website, the malicious payload triggers a memory corruption scenario that can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory structures or inject malicious code into the browser process. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where the browser crashes or becomes unresponsive, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where browser stability is crucial. This memory corruption issue demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex browser architectures that must process untrusted web content while maintaining performance and security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2541 is substantial across enterprise networks, as Internet Explorer remains widely deployed in corporate environments despite Microsoft's recommendations to migrate to newer browsers. Organizations running affected IE versions face significant risk exposure since the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites that do not require user interaction beyond visiting the malicious page. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can gain full system access without requiring local privileges, making it particularly attractive for threat actors targeting enterprise infrastructure. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability alongside other related issues like CVE-2015-2485 and CVE-2015-2491, as these represent part of a broader class of memory corruption vulnerabilities affecting the same browser family.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying memory handling issues through improved bounds checking and memory management routines. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. The vulnerability's exploitation patterns suggest that network-based defenses should focus on monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns and implementing sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of successful exploits. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser versions, as the vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit and can be effectively mitigated through proper patch management and security awareness training.