CVE-2016-3247 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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 • 02/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3247 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability resides within the browser's rendering engine and allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. The flaw stems from improper memory management during the processing of specific web elements, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially gain unauthorized system access. Security researchers have classified this issue as a severe threat due to its remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption mechanisms that occur when browsers process malformed or specially crafted web content. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious websites that trigger specific code paths within the browser's memory management system. The flaw typically manifests through heap corruption or stack overflow conditions that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it specifically impacts memory management within web browser contexts. The exploitation process often requires precise control over memory layout and can be enhanced through techniques such as return-oriented programming or use-after-free attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on these browsers for daily operations. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web environments. The potential impact includes complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. Organizations using affected browsers face increased risk of advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge creates a broad attack surface, as these browsers serve different user segments and deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3247 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates to address the memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques to limit potential exploitation impact. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious web traffic targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of visiting malicious websites and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify unpatched systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including patch management, network segmentation, and endpoint protection solutions to prevent successful exploitation attempts.