CVE-2015-6074 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-2015-6071, CVE-2015-6076, and CVE-2015-6087.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 that enables remote code execution attacks through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically affects the browser's memory management mechanisms, where insufficient validation leads to buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Internet Explorer's rendering engine failing to properly validate input data when processing web content, particularly in scenarios involving complex JavaScript execution or DOM manipulation. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption during normal browsing operations, leveraging the browser's memory handling routines to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The memory corruption occurs in the browser's JavaScript engine or rendering components where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious payloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, particularly in legacy systems or organizations that have not fully migrated to modern browser architectures. The remote exploitation capability means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential lateral movement within networks, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with system-level privileges. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, enabling attackers to establish persistent access and execute additional malicious activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft security patches, enabling enhanced security features such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP), and implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, restricting ActiveX controls, and implementing strict content security policies can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and awareness of phishing indicators remains crucial in defending against this class of vulnerabilities. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should focus on identifying legacy Internet Explorer installations and ensuring proper patch management processes are in place to prevent exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability.