CVE-2015-6046 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6046 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory through maliciously crafted web content, potentially exposing confidential information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The issue stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer manages memory allocation and access during web page processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues that can lead to information leakage, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data is frequently processed through web browsers.
The technical flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory management behaviors. Attackers can construct web pages that exploit memory access patterns to read data from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive information such as encryption keys, passwords, session tokens, or other confidential data stored in the browser process memory. The vulnerability operates at the memory level where the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components interact, creating opportunities for attackers to harvest information that should remain protected. This issue is classified as a memory disclosure vulnerability and maps to CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems. The attack vector requires a user to visit a malicious website, making it a client-side vulnerability that can be effectively delivered through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6046 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents can contain valuable data that could be used for privilege escalation, credential theft, or further attack development. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses significant risks when users access untrusted websites or when attackers compromise web servers to deliver malicious content. The vulnerability affects all versions of Internet Explorer from version 9 through 11, representing a broad attack surface that includes older systems still in use within organizations. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting exploitation, session hijacking, or even remote code execution when combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations using these browser versions face potential data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where information protection is paramount. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and T1005, "Data from Local System," as attackers can leverage the information disclosure to gather system information and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6046 focus primarily on immediate patch deployment and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that address the memory handling issues in affected Internet Explorer versions, requiring organizations to apply these patches promptly to protect against exploitation. Browser security configurations should be enhanced through features like memory protection mechanisms, sandboxing, and restricted memory access controls. Organizations should implement web filtering solutions and user education programs to reduce exposure to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include network monitoring for suspicious activities related to memory access patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider migrating to more secure browser alternatives or implementing browser isolation technologies to reduce the attack surface and protect against similar vulnerabilities in legacy browser implementations.