CVE-2016-0113 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 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-2016-0105, CVE-2016-0107, CVE-2016-0111, and CVE-2016-0112.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11, classified under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing malformed or crafted web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption during normal browsing operations, potentially allowing remote code execution on vulnerable systems. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to establish initial access points for broader network infiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory management functions within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and rendering components. When the browser encounters specially crafted web content, particularly involving complex object manipulation or memory allocation patterns, it fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service scenarios where system stability is compromised through memory corruption attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in active use, particularly in legacy systems or organizations with limited patch management capabilities. The exploitability factor is high due to the ease with which attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger the vulnerability through standard web browsing activities. Security researchers have documented that the attack surface is broad as users frequently visit untrusted websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework aligns with initial access techniques such as drive-by downloads and malicious website delivery methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability encompass both immediate defensive measures and long-term remediation approaches. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor has released comprehensive fixes for this vulnerability. Browser isolation techniques and enhanced security configurations can provide additional protection layers, including enabling Enhanced Protected Mode and restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive environments. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious web content before it reaches vulnerable systems. Regular security assessments and user awareness training are essential components of comprehensive defense strategies, particularly given the historical prevalence of similar browser-based attacks in enterprise environments.