CVE-2015-6158 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-2015-6142, CVE-2015-6143, CVE-2015-6153, CVE-2015-6159, and CVE-2015-6160.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers, demonstrating the ongoing challenges in web browser security architecture. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, specifically when processing crafted web content that triggers undefined behavior in the browser's memory management systems. 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 allows malicious data to overwrite critical memory segments.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-6158 leverages memory corruption principles that align with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack chain where malicious web content triggers specific parsing sequences in the browser's engine, ultimately leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult for users to identify when they are at risk.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and may encounter malicious websites through phishing campaigns, compromised web services, or drive-by downloads. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, allowing for large-scale attacks against multiple users simultaneously. Organizations may experience service disruption due to denial of service conditions, while successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile browser environments, amplifying its potential impact across different user groups and security contexts.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the browser engines. Network administrators should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Users should be educated about safe browsing practices, including avoiding suspicious websites and maintaining current browser versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems that can detect anomalous browser behavior or attempted exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and sandboxing mechanisms to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, aligning with defensive strategies recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for browser-based attacks.