CVE-2016-0061 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-2016-0060, CVE-2016-0063, CVE-2016-0067, and CVE-2016-0072.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. The issue stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, specifically when processing crafted malicious content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that triggers memory corruption conditions in the browser's rendering engine, leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability operates at the core level of browser functionality where memory management intersects with web content processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of memory structures within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components. When the affected browsers process specially crafted web content, they fail to properly validate memory allocations and deallocations, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user, effectively providing attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory safety issues are particularly severe because they occur within the browser's core execution environment where privilege escalation and code injection attacks can be readily achieved.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise and persistent threats. Attackers can deploy this vulnerability as part of initial access vectors in targeted campaigns, using it to establish footholds for further exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer and Edge creates a broad attack surface since these browsers are widely deployed across enterprise environments. Security researchers have documented this flaw as part of the broader ATT&CK framework under techniques related to browser exploitation and privilege escalation. Organizations running affected browser versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious website is accessed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected browser versions with Microsoft security updates. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web filtering solutions can help detect and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to ensure all affected systems receive timely updates. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how browser-based attacks can provide attackers with privileged access to target systems.