CVE-2015-6050 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6050 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability resides within the browser's handling of specific web content, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise systems through crafted web pages. The flaw specifically affects Internet Explorer 10 running on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8 operating systems. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management when processing certain HTML elements, particularly those involving object manipulation and memory allocation patterns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that triggers the memory corruption during normal browser operation, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption through improper handling of JavaScript objects and their associated memory structures. When Internet Explorer processes maliciously crafted web content containing specific JavaScript constructs, the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate object references, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption. This memory corruption can occur during operations such as object creation, destruction, or manipulation of dynamic properties. The flaw is classified under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write" within the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing the fundamental memory safety issues that enable arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires a user to visit a malicious website, making it a prime example of a user-initiated attack vector that leverages social engineering tactics to deliver the payload.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 10 remains in use. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems, install malware, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised machine as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to disrupt business operations, particularly in environments where browser availability is critical. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer 10 face potential compromise of their security posture, as this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how the initial exploitation can lead to broader system compromise and persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6050 focus primarily on immediate remediation through Microsoft's security patches and updates. Organizations should prioritize deploying the Microsoft security update released in October 2015, which addresses the memory corruption issues in Internet Explorer 10. Additionally, security measures such as disabling Active Scripting in Internet Explorer security zones, implementing application whitelisting policies, and using enhanced browser security features like Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration can help reduce the attack surface. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing comprehensive patch management processes. Organizations should consider migrating away from unsupported browser versions to more secure modern alternatives, as Internet Explorer 10 reached end-of-life and no longer receives security updates from Microsoft. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure proper remediation and prevent exploitation attempts.