CVE-2015-6073 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6068, CVE-2015-6072, 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 • 06/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6073 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through the exploitation of malformed web content. The flaw specifically resides in how these browsers handle certain memory operations when processing crafted web pages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise system integrity and availability. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser rendering engine memory management and web content processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website without any additional user interaction beyond normal browsing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components. When processing specific combinations of web elements, particularly those involving object manipulation and memory allocation, the browsers fail to properly validate memory boundaries and object references. This leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations or execute unintended code sequences. The flaw typically manifests through heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions where previously deallocated memory blocks are accessed, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6073 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security and availability risks for affected systems. Remote code execution capabilities mean that attackers can potentially gain full system control, establish persistent backdoors, or deploy additional malware payloads without user interaction. The vulnerability's trigger mechanism through standard web browsing operations makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through drive-by downloads, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. Organizations running affected browser versions face substantial risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to disrupt legitimate business operations, creating availability issues that impact productivity and service delivery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6073 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation. Microsoft released security updates that address the memory corruption issues through patches that improve memory validation and object lifecycle management within the browser engines. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches as soon as possible and maintain updated antivirus signatures that can detect exploitation attempts. Browser hardening configurations including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and restricting access to potentially malicious websites can provide additional protection layers. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with tactics described in the attack mitigation framework, particularly those involving initial access and execution phases, making comprehensive defensive measures essential for protecting against both direct exploitation and potential advanced persistent threats.