CVE-2015-6071 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 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-2015-6066, CVE-2015-6070, CVE-2015-6074, CVE-2015-6076, and CVE-2015-6087.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 that enables remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code into the target system. The flaw specifically manifests during the rendering process of web pages, where Internet Explorer fails to properly validate input data structures, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can be exploited by threat actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, triggers the corrupted memory access pattern. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the web browser as the initial access vector. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of web elements, potentially involving JavaScript execution, HTML parsing, or object model manipulation that leads to memory address manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and persistent access. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Internet Explorer process, which typically runs with the same permissions as the logged-in user. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Internet Explorer versions, making it particularly dangerous as organizations with legacy systems remain vulnerable. The exploit requires no special privileges to initiate but can cause significant damage once successful, potentially leading to full system compromise and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and using enhanced browser security configurations. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the avoidance of untrusted websites remains crucial. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies for web browsing activities and regularly monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer and ensure timely remediation.