CVE-2015-6053 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via crafted parameters in an ArrayBuffer.slice call, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-6053 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory through specifically crafted ArrayBuffer.slice operations. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-200, where attackers can gain unauthorized access to data that should remain confidential. The issue stems from improper handling of memory boundaries during array buffer operations, creating a condition where memory contents beyond the intended buffer limits can be accessed and potentially exfiltrated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes crafted JavaScript code that invokes the ArrayBuffer.slice method with malicious parameters. The flaw exists in the memory management implementation of the JavaScript engine, specifically in how it handles buffer boundary checks during slice operations. When an attacker constructs an ArrayBuffer.slice call with parameters that exceed the valid memory boundaries, the browser fails to properly validate these inputs, allowing access to adjacent memory regions. This memory access violation creates a pathway for sensitive information disclosure including cached credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential data residing in the process memory space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Internet Explorer 11 for web browsing activities. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted websites. The vulnerability can be leveraged to extract session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1005 for data from local system, representing the attack vectors and techniques that adversaries can employ to exploit such memory-related vulnerabilities.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents may contain sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. Attackers can potentially extract encryption keys, cryptographic materials, or other confidential information that could compromise the security of the entire system. Organizations running Internet Explorer 11 are particularly vulnerable since this flaw affects the core JavaScript engine implementation, making it difficult to mitigate through traditional web application firewalls or network-based security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and boundary checking in browser implementations, as even seemingly benign operations like array slicing can create significant security risks when not properly validated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6053 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates to address the underlying memory handling issues in Internet Explorer 11. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious ArrayBuffer.slice operations and consider browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features or implementing strict content security policies. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory-related flaws in browser implementations. Additionally, organizations should consider migrating away from Internet Explorer 11 to more modern browsers that have better memory management practices and more frequent security updates. Security teams should monitor threat intelligence feeds for exploitation attempts and implement proper incident response procedures to handle potential information disclosure events. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in browser implementations and the need for continuous security validation of core platform components.