CVE-2016-0103 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0102, CVE-2016-0106, CVE-2016-0108, CVE-2016-0109, and CVE-2016-0114.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements and JavaScript objects. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to render or execute specific content, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption issues typically occur when the browser fails to properly validate input data or when it performs operations on memory locations that have been freed or are otherwise inaccessible. The flaw manifests during normal web browsing operations when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted HTML elements, JavaScript code, or ActiveX controls that cause the memory management system to behave unpredictably.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it allows attackers to remotely compromise systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploitability factor is high since Internet Explorer 11 was widely deployed across enterprise environments, making the attack surface extensive. The memory corruption can result in system crashes leading to denial of service conditions or more severe consequences where attackers can inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised user. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution.
The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks if attackers gain initial access through this vulnerability. Organizations running older versions of Windows that include Internet Explorer 11 are particularly vulnerable, as the flaw exists in the browser's core rendering and memory management components. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Windows versions makes it a persistent threat that requires immediate attention and remediation. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, browser hardening measures, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious content targeting this specific memory corruption pattern. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and user education to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.