CVE-2016-0111 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-2016-0105, CVE-2016-0107, CVE-2016-0112, and CVE-2016-0113.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
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 allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web content that triggers specific memory manipulation sequences within the browser's rendering engine. The vulnerability operates at the core level of browser memory management, where heap corruption occurs when processing specially crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code. This type of flaw typically manifests when the browser attempts to manage memory for dynamic content, particularly in scenarios involving object creation, deletion, and memory reuse. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and falls within the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. The attack surface extends to any user who visits a compromised website or clicks on malicious links that deliver the exploit code through web-based delivery mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's memory management subsystem to overwrite critical memory locations with attacker-controlled data. When Internet Explorer processes malformed web content, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries during object lifecycle management, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be coerced into executing arbitrary code. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing and rendering phases of web content, where the browser's JavaScript engine interacts with the underlying memory structures. This particular flaw allows attackers to manipulate heap metadata or overwrite function pointers, effectively hijacking the execution flow of the browser process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploit chain typically involves multiple stages including initial memory corruption, followed by information disclosure, and ultimately code execution within the browser's security context. This vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures where memory management errors can have cascading effects on overall system integrity and user security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain full control over the affected browser process, potentially enabling them to access sensitive user data, install malware, or perform further attacks within the user's security context. The denial of service aspect can be equally damaging, as it can cause browsers to crash repeatedly or become unresponsive, disrupting normal business operations and user productivity. Organizations running affected browsers face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where browser-based attacks are common attack vectors. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also corporate networks where multiple endpoints could be compromised simultaneously. The attack vectors include phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, compromised websites, and social engineering attacks that lure users into visiting malicious content. Security teams must consider the broad implications of this vulnerability across their entire attack surface, as it represents a fundamental flaw in browser security architecture that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also impacts the broader cybersecurity ecosystem by potentially enabling attackers to bypass traditional security controls and establish persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment and comprehensive security monitoring. Microsoft released security updates that address the memory corruption issues in affected browser versions, making timely patch management essential for protecting against exploitation. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious browser behavior, unusual memory consumption patterns, and network traffic anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing layered defense strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors. Incident response procedures should include specific protocols for detecting and responding to browser-based memory corruption attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify potential exploitation scenarios and validate the effectiveness of implemented controls. The vulnerability also underscores the need for security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious web content and avoid visiting compromised websites. Organizations should consider implementing browser isolation technologies and secure browsing environments to provide additional protection against this class of vulnerabilities.