CVE-2016-0114 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-2016-0103, CVE-2016-0106, CVE-2016-0108, and CVE-2016-0109.
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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 malicious web content. The issue manifests when the browser processes specially crafted web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions within the browser's rendering engine. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious websites that, when visited by unsuspecting users, automatically execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects the way Internet Explorer handles certain memory operations during web page rendering, creating conditions where arbitrary code can be injected and executed with the privileges of the user running the browser.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how improper memory management within browser components can create exploitable conditions that allow attackers to bypass security restrictions and execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of web content, likely involving heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that are common in browser exploitation scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Internet Explorer 11 as their primary browser. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere in the world without requiring physical access or specialized knowledge of the target environment. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the highest risk category according to the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059 technique for command and script interpreter. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks once an initial foothold is established through this vulnerability.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching through Microsoft's security updates, as well as implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing sandboxing techniques, and deploying additional security layers such as exploit protection software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits. Additionally, user education about avoiding suspicious websites and implementing multi-factor authentication can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts.