CVE-2016-0154 in Internet Explorer
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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0154 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browser implementations. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw manifests when these browsers process specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling during rendering operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by hosting malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, initiate memory corruption sequences that ultimately allow for arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple browser versions simultaneously, expanding the potential attack surface significantly.
The technical mechanism behind this memory corruption vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes. When Internet Explorer or Edge encounters malformed or malicious content, the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate input data structures, leading to buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. These memory corruption scenarios can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code within the browser's execution context. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components where memory operations are most frequent and complex. This type of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of scripting languages for code execution, and T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0154 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Organizations running affected browser versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and persistent malware installation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently navigate to compromised sites through phishing campaigns or compromised web applications. The memory corruption nature of the flaw also makes detection challenging since legitimate browser operations can appear normal while the underlying memory corruption occurs silently. Organizations may experience cascading failures where system stability is compromised, leading to unexpected application crashes and potential data loss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0154 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, particularly the cumulative security update released in March 2016. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and configuring sandboxing mechanisms can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual memory usage patterns, unexpected browser crashes, and suspicious network connections. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should verify that systems are properly hardened against this class of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.