CVE-2015-6141 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 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-2015-6134.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6141 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer 9 running on Windows operating systems and operates at the kernel level where memory management occurs. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory objects during web page rendering processes, creating exploitable conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures beyond their intended boundaries. Security researchers have classified this issue as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when the browser processes specific JavaScript constructs or HTML elements. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple web navigation without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. Attackers can leverage this memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The flaw operates at the application layer where Internet Explorer handles memory allocation and deallocation during web page processing, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to victim systems. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1203 for exploitation for execution. The memory corruption occurs when Internet Explorer attempts to manage memory objects that are improperly sized or allocated during JavaScript engine operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the browser fails to properly validate memory boundaries when processing crafted input from web pages. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific web content that triggers the memory corruption when rendered by the browser's JavaScript engine, allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations with malicious payloads. This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2015-6134 and represents a separate but equally dangerous memory corruption vector within the same browser version. Organizations running Internet Explorer 9 are particularly at risk since this browser version is no longer supported with security updates. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system stability compromise. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected the memory management routines and implemented additional bounds checking mechanisms. The flaw highlights the importance of proper memory management in web browsers and the necessity of regular security updates to protect against sophisticated attack vectors. Enterprises should consider immediate remediation through patching or browser migration to modern secure browsers that have better memory safety features and ongoing security support. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common attack patterns targeting browser memory corruption, making it a significant concern for organizations with legacy Internet Explorer deployments and inadequate security monitoring.