CVE-2015-6142 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-2015-6140, CVE-2015-6143, CVE-2015-6153, CVE-2015-6158, CVE-2015-6159, and CVE-2015-6160.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6142 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing maliciously crafted web content. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause denial of service conditions through specially crafted web pages. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the browser's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious website is accessed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an attacker can access memory locations beyond the intended boundaries. The flaw manifests when the browser processes certain web elements that trigger memory corruption in the JavaScript engine or rendering components. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through social engineering techniques that direct users to exploit the vulnerability. The memory corruption occurs during normal browser operation when parsing specific HTML or JavaScript elements, making detection particularly challenging as legitimate browsing activities may inadvertently trigger the exploit.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on these browsers for daily operations. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability affects both Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge, representing a broad attack surface that could impact enterprise environments, government agencies, and individual users. The fact that this vulnerability is distinct from other related CVEs in the same timeframe indicates a unique code path or memory handling issue that requires specific mitigation approaches rather than general browser security updates.
The exploitation of CVE-2015-6142 follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter. Attackers typically deploy this vulnerability as part of multi-stage attack campaigns where initial access is achieved through phishing emails or compromised websites, followed by the execution of malicious payloads. Organizations should implement layered security controls including web application firewalls, browser hardening configurations, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all affected systems receive appropriate patches or mitigation measures as recommended by Microsoft security advisories.