CVE-2015-6157 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that undermines the browser's memory protection mechanisms and could potentially expose confidential information to unauthorized parties. The issue affects versions of Internet Explorer 11 running on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2012 R2, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these operating systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing certain web page elements that trigger memory access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious website loads content that causes Internet Explorer to access memory locations containing sensitive information. The flaw manifests as an information disclosure issue where attackers can potentially retrieve data from adjacent memory regions, including credentials, session tokens, personal information, or other confidential data that may be stored in memory. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities. The attack vector involves a remote web page that, when rendered by the browser, triggers the memory access pattern that exposes the sensitive data. The vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. Security researchers have identified this issue as a classic case of improper memory management where the browser fails to properly validate memory access boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6157 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed memory contents could contain highly sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially extract session cookies, authentication tokens, or other credential information that would allow them to impersonate legitimate users. The vulnerability's remote nature makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer are at risk of data breaches, credential theft, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, where information disclosure serves as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments. This type of vulnerability often appears in the attack chain as an initial access vector that enables attackers to gather intelligence before launching more targeted operations.
Organizations should immediately implement security patches provided by Microsoft to address this vulnerability, as the information disclosure could lead to significant security incidents. The recommended mitigation includes deploying the security update released through Microsoft's monthly security bulletin cycle, which addresses the memory handling issue in Internet Explorer's rendering engine. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browsers updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser implementations and highlights the need for regular security assessments of web applications and browser components. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for robust security practices in web browser environments and the importance of maintaining current security patches across all systems.