CVE-2015-6068 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6072, CVE-2015-6073, CVE-2015-6075, CVE-2015-6077, CVE-2015-6079, CVE-2015-6080, and CVE-2015-6082.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution when users visit malicious websites. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering and script execution processes. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory management operations, leading to unpredictable behavior including arbitrary code execution or system crashes. Security researchers have identified this as a distinct vulnerability from several other related issues affecting the same browser version, emphasizing its unique exploitation vectors and memory handling characteristics.
The technical root cause of this memory corruption vulnerability lies in Internet Explorer's insufficient input validation and memory management mechanisms within its JavaScript engine and rendering components. When processing malformed web content, the browser fails to properly validate memory allocations and deallocations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" classifications, representing common memory safety issues in browser implementations. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted HTML elements, JavaScript code, or embedded ActiveX controls that trigger the memory corruption during normal browsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems running Internet Explorer 11, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy browser support is maintained. Attackers can craft malicious websites that automatically exploit this vulnerability when users visit them, requiring no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to defend against through traditional user awareness measures alone.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches released in the corresponding security bulletin. Browser hardening measures such as enabling enhanced security features, disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls, and implementing strict content filtering can help reduce exploitation risk. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for known exploit patterns and suspicious web traffic. Security teams should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and mandatory patch management policies to ensure all systems remain protected against this and similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers leverage the browser's native capabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.