CVE-2015-6148 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 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-2015-6156.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, specifically when processing crafted malicious content that triggers heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in the affected browsers, causes memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw exists in the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components where insufficient input validation and memory management controls allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious instructions within the browser's security context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption issues typically manifest through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that occur when browsers attempt to process malformed web content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's trust model where legitimate web content is processed without sufficient validation of memory boundaries. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger the specific code paths where memory corruption occurs, enabling them to either execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process or cause denial of service through system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it affects widely deployed browser versions across enterprise environments and consumer systems. Organizations running these affected browsers face significant risk of compromise through drive-by download attacks where simply visiting a compromised website can lead to system takeover. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers do not require local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may browse untrusted websites. The memory corruption can result in complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent backdoors or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates that address the underlying memory corruption issues in the browser's rendering engines. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as enabling enhanced security features, restricting browser access to potentially malicious content through content filtering solutions, and deploying sandboxing technologies that limit the impact of successful exploits. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious web content before it reaches vulnerable browsers. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser software. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both network and endpoint security controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected browser versions and ensure timely patch deployment across all endpoints.