CVE-2016-3246 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3246 represents a critical security flaw in the web browser's handling of memory operations that could be exploited by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or system denial of service. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Edge versions prior to the security updates released in 2016, demonstrating the inherent risks associated with complex browser rendering engines that process untrusted web content. The flaw manifests when Edge encounters maliciously crafted web content that triggers improper memory management during page rendering or script execution, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages memory corruption mechanisms that fall under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that, when rendered by Edge, cause memory corruption through improper bounds checking or use-after-free conditions. The vulnerability typically occurs during the processing of complex web elements such as dynamic content, embedded objects, or malformed HTML structures that trigger the browser's memory management subsystem to allocate or deallocate memory in unexpected ways. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without user interaction, making it a prime target for automated attack frameworks and zero-day exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3246 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption across enterprise environments that rely on Microsoft Edge for web browsing operations. Organizations running affected Edge versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and persistent threats that can establish footholds within network perimeters through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors, as memory corruption flaws often provide attackers with the foundation for privilege escalation and lateral movement within target networks. Security researchers have documented this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, and T1203, which addresses exploitation for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3246 require immediate implementation of Microsoft's security patches and updates to ensure Edge browsers operate with corrected memory management routines. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the security updates released by Microsoft in June 2016, which included fixes for the memory corruption issues affecting Edge's rendering engine. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening configurations, enabling security features such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content before it reaches user browsers. Network administrators should also consider implementing content filtering solutions and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against browser-based attack vectors that leverage memory corruption flaws.