CVE-2016-3242 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-2016-3240 and CVE-2016-3241.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks through malicious web content. This vulnerability specifically affected the browser's handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes when processing crafted web pages, creating a condition where attackers could manipulate memory structures to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifested during the parsing and rendering of web content, particularly when dealing with complex objects and memory management operations within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Attackers could exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, would trigger memory corruption through improper handling of object references and memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be leveraged remotely without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and automated exploitation campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3242 was severe across enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remained the primary browser for legacy applications and internal systems. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer faced significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise when users visited malicious websites. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns, compromised websites, and malicious advertisements that would automatically execute malicious code upon page load. Security researchers noted that the exploit required minimal user interaction, making it particularly effective in large-scale attack scenarios.
This vulnerability was part of a series of related issues affecting Internet Explorer, distinct from the similar CVE-2016-3240 and CVE-2016-3241 vulnerabilities that targeted different aspects of the browser's memory management. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities, and T1059, which covers command and control through scripting languages. Organizations needed to implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, security patches, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent exploitation. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, but many organizations delayed patching due to compatibility concerns with legacy applications, creating extended exposure windows for potential attacks. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security and implementing layered defensive strategies to protect against zero-day exploits targeting widely used software components.