CVE-2016-0199 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 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-2016-0200 and CVE-2016-3211.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that enables remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web content structures. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to render specific elements, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw operates at a fundamental level within the browser's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard security mechanisms that protect against malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploitation of memory layout issues that occur when Internet Explorer processes malformed web content. The attack vector typically involves delivering malicious JavaScript or HTML content that causes the browser to allocate or access memory in unexpected ways. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer simultaneously, creating a broad attack surface that spans several years of browser releases. The memory corruption occurs during the browser's normal operation when parsing web content, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially enabling them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access. The denial of service aspect means that even unsuccessful exploitation attempts can crash the browser or system, creating availability issues that can be used for disruption attacks. This vulnerability directly aligns with several tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation phases, as it provides a means for attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, as it can serve as a primary attack vector for lateral movement and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with Microsoft releasing security updates that address the underlying memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block known malicious patterns. Browser hardening techniques such as disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated Internet Explorer installations, as this vulnerability affects versions that may still be in use in legacy environments. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious browser behavior and unusual network connections that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the risks associated with continued use of unsupported browser versions, as these older implementations often contain multiple unpatched vulnerabilities that create attractive targets for attackers.