CVE-2015-6086 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The CVE-2015-6086 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and is classified as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through web-based attacks. The flaw specifically affects the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering and processing, creating opportunities for attackers to access potentially sensitive information that should remain protected within the browser's memory space. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can expose confidential data including user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive application information that resides in memory during browser operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the browser's memory isolation mechanisms and represents a significant security risk for users who may unknowingly visit compromised websites.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted web content that triggers specific memory access patterns within the Internet Explorer rendering engine. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, cause the browser to expose memory contents through various mechanisms including improper memory handling during object creation, manipulation of heap memory structures, or through side-channel attacks that exploit memory layout information. The vulnerability likely stems from insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management routines within the browser's JavaScript engine or rendering components, allowing attackers to read memory locations that should remain inaccessible. This type of vulnerability is particularly insidious because it operates at the memory level and can potentially expose a wide range of sensitive information including cryptographic keys, user data, or internal application state information. The attack vector requires only a user visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6086 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents can provide attackers with significant leverage for subsequent attacks. When sensitive information is exposed from process memory, attackers can potentially reconstruct user sessions, extract authentication tokens, or gather other critical data that enables more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or further exploitation. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate data. Security researchers have noted that information disclosure vulnerabilities of this nature often serve as stepping stones for more complex attack chains, where the initial memory leak provides the foundation for privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The impact is further amplified by the widespread adoption of Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable across a large user base.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that improved memory management within the browser's rendering engine and enhanced bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize applying these security patches immediately to protect against exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in browser security and highlights the need for continuous security testing of core browser components. Security professionals should implement monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns and consider network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability may trigger requirements under various security standards including those related to information protection and secure coding practices, as outlined in industry frameworks such as the CWE classification system for memory-related vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under information gathering techniques, specifically targeting memory dumps and information disclosure methods that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and data exfiltration attacks.