CVE-2016-0002 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft (1) VBScript 5.7 and 5.8 and (2) JScript 5.7 and 5.8 engines, as used in Internet Explorer 8 through 11 and other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft's scripting engines that affected VBScript 5.7 and 5.8 as well as JScript 5.7 and 5.8 implementations. The vulnerability resides within the way these scripting engines handle memory allocation and deallocation during script execution, creating opportunities for remote code execution through malicious web content. The affected versions include Internet Explorer 8 through 11 and other Microsoft products that incorporate these scripting engines. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which is a common precursor to memory corruption exploits. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious website loads a crafted script that triggers specific memory handling behaviors within the scripting engines. Attackers can manipulate memory pointers or buffer boundaries to cause the engines to execute unintended code sequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management controls within the JavaScript and VBScript interpreters, allowing attackers to overwrite memory regions that should remain protected. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through web browsers without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploit chain typically involves memory corruption followed by code execution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0002 is severe as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected systems through web-based attacks. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer or other affected products face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This makes it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit malicious websites or receive phishing emails containing compromised web content. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft's scripting engines, increasing the attack surface across various products and platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the scripting engines. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling script execution in untrusted sites, enabling protected view mode, and configuring security zones appropriately. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering can help prevent access to known malicious websites. Additionally, implementing regular security assessments and penetration testing helps identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices in scripting engine implementations. Organizations should also consider browser isolation techniques and user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.