CVE-2015-6155 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 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."
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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 10 and 11, as well as Microsoft Edge browser implementations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for remote code execution attacks. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger memory corruption when the affected browsers attempt to process specific web content, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw manifests through the browser's memory management mechanisms when processing certain JavaScript objects or DOM elements, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser rendering engines and memory management systems, where improper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout during page processing. When Internet Explorer or Edge encounters malformed or malicious content, the browser's memory allocator fails to properly validate input data, enabling attackers to overwrite memory regions that control program execution flow. This memory corruption can occur during JavaScript execution, DOM manipulation, or object instantiation processes within the browser's JavaScript engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all supported versions of Internet Explorer and Edge, making it particularly dangerous as these browsers remain widely deployed in enterprise environments. Attackers can deliver malicious payloads through various vectors including phishing websites, compromised web servers, or even legitimate websites that have been compromised with malicious content. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves applying Microsoft security patches and updates, as well as implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features and enabling security zones. Network-based defenses including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust browser security configurations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation technologies and maintaining detailed network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of patch compliance to ensure protection against this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.