CVE-2016-0192 in Edge
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 • 08/18/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, creating opportunities for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption when processed by the affected browsers. The flaw operates at the core level of browser memory management, specifically within the JavaScript engine and memory allocation mechanisms that handle dynamic content rendering. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector leverages the browser's ability to process untrusted web content, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users frequently visit untrusted websites. The vulnerability impacts both legacy and modern browser versions, indicating a fundamental flaw in the underlying memory management architecture that affects multiple generations of Microsoft's browser products. This memory corruption issue creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The flaw demonstrates how browser-based memory management can be exploited through carefully crafted web content that triggers unexpected behavior in the rendering engine's memory handling routines.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating JavaScript objects and memory pointers through specific code patterns that cause buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Attackers typically craft malicious web pages containing specially designed JavaScript code that triggers memory corruption when the browser attempts to process the content. The vulnerability exploits the way browsers handle dynamic memory allocation for web objects, particularly during garbage collection and object lifetime management. When the affected browsers process malicious content, they can be forced to write beyond allocated memory boundaries or access freed memory locations, leading to unpredictable behavior. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly challenging to detect and prevent because it occurs during normal browser operation and can be triggered through legitimate web browsing activities. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often just visiting a malicious website, making it highly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects multiple browser versions simultaneously, indicating a systemic issue in Microsoft's browser development lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risks for enterprise environments and individual users alike, as it enables remote attackers to compromise systems without requiring complex attack chains or user interaction beyond normal web browsing. Organizations using affected browser versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's exploitability makes it attractive to threat actors in both targeted attacks and mass exploitation campaigns, particularly in industries where browser-based attacks are common. Security teams must consider the broad attack surface this vulnerability creates, as it affects not only individual user systems but also enterprise networks where users may inadvertently access malicious content. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, making it a high-priority vulnerability for immediate remediation. Organizations should implement layered security controls, including browser hardening, network segmentation, and user education, to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of timely patch management and the need for continuous monitoring of browser-based attack vectors in enterprise security programs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch deployment for all affected Microsoft browser versions, along with browser hardening measures that restrict memory access patterns and limit the impact of potential exploitation. Organizations should implement web content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content before it reaches user browsers. Browser security features such as address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and sandboxing should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable browser versions and ensure proper patching procedures are followed. The vulnerability also necessitates enhanced user awareness training to help identify potentially malicious websites and reduce the risk of accidental exploitation. Network-level protections including web proxies, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and browser behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Microsoft recommends immediate deployment of security updates and implementation of browser security configurations that reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security and implementing comprehensive browser-based security controls in enterprise environments.