CVE-2016-0156 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-2016-0155 and CVE-2016-0157.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0156 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge web browser that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted websites. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Edge versions prior to the security updates released in January 2016, making it part of a series of related memory corruption issues that impacted the browser during this timeframe. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering and processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability operates through the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, where malformed web content can trigger memory corruption that leads to unpredictable behavior and execution of malicious instructions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption patterns that align with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially crafted web pages that contain malformed data structures or memory manipulation sequences designed to trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption during browser processing. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for script-based execution, where attackers leverage browser-based scripting languages to execute malicious payloads. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing and rendering of web content, particularly when Edge processes JavaScript or HTML elements that contain crafted malicious data patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0156 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities for skilled attackers. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote code execution with the privileges of the Edge browser process, which typically runs with limited user privileges but can potentially be escalated through additional attack vectors. The memory corruption can manifest as browser crashes, application instability, or more concerning system-wide compromise scenarios where attackers can inject malicious code into the browser's memory space and potentially escalate privileges. Organizations running affected Edge versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through drive-by downloads, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites that automatically execute the exploit when users visit the malicious content. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Edge browser usage is common and where attackers can leverage the flaw to establish persistent access or escalate privileges to administrative levels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0156 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser configuration hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates in January 2016 that addressed this vulnerability through memory safety improvements and enhanced input validation within the Edge browser's rendering engine. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected systems, particularly those running Edge browser versions prior to the security update. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict JavaScript execution, enabling enhanced security features within Edge, and deploying web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to block known malicious content. Network-based protections can include implementing DNS filtering and web content inspection tools that can detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches that reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Security teams should also monitor for related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2016-0155 and CVE-2016-0157 that were part of the same vulnerability family, as these may indicate broader exploitation patterns or similar memory corruption issues affecting the browser's core components.