CVE-2016-0155 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0156 and CVE-2016-0157.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0155 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Edge web browser that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of crafted web content, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory management issues within the Edge rendering engine. The flaw stems from improper input validation and memory handling when processing specially crafted web pages, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption. The flaw occurs during the processing of web content where Edge fails to properly validate memory boundaries when handling certain web elements, potentially leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Microsoft Edge as their primary browser for web-based activities. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Edge, triggers the memory corruption conditions. The remote exploitation capability means that victims can be compromised simply by visiting a compromised website, making this attack vector particularly insidious. The potential for both remote code execution and denial of service means that organizations face risks ranging from data compromise to system availability issues, with the severity depending on the specific implementation of the attack.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond individual user exposure to include enterprise environments where Edge is used for business applications and web-based services. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability differs from related issues CVE-2016-0156 and CVE-2016-0157, indicating that multiple memory corruption flaws exist within the Edge browser's codebase. This pattern of multiple related vulnerabilities suggests potential systemic issues in the browser's memory management and input validation processes. Organizations should consider implementing network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions while also preparing for immediate patch deployment when Microsoft releases security updates.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, along with network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving exploitation of remote services and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and user education regarding safe browsing practices to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exposure to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other browser components or related software applications.