CVE-2015-6077 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-2015-6068, CVE-2015-6072, CVE-2015-6073, CVE-2015-6075, CVE-2015-6079, CVE-2015-6080, and CVE-2015-6082.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering processes, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit memory corruption flaws that can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw exists within the browser's JavaScript engine and memory allocation mechanisms, where improper validation of user-supplied data during page processing can result in unpredictable memory behavior that attackers can leverage for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of memory structures within Internet Explorer's rendering engine, particularly when processing complex web elements or JavaScript code. Attackers can craft specific web pages containing malformed data structures that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions in the browser's memory management system. These memory corruption issues occur when the browser fails to properly validate input parameters or when it incorrectly handles memory deallocation, allowing malicious code to overwrite critical memory regions or execute arbitrary instructions in the context of the browser process. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference, which are common indicators of memory corruption flaws in web browsers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on Internet Explorer 11 as their primary browser for web access. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches released for this vulnerability, as well as implementing browser hardening measures such as enabling Enhanced Protected Mode and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through web filtering solutions. Network-level protections should include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Additionally, organizations should consider transitioning away from Internet Explorer 11 to more modern browser alternatives that receive regular security updates and have better security architectures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated browser-based attacks that exploit memory corruption flaws in web rendering engines.