CVE-2016-3259 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft (1) JScript 9, (2) VBScript, and (3) Chakra JavaScript engines, as used in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11, Microsoft Edge, and other products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3248.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3259 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple scripting engines within Microsoft's web browser ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically impacts JScript 9, VBScript, and the Chakra JavaScript engine that are integral components of Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11, Microsoft Edge, and various other Microsoft products. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through the exploitation of malformed web content, making it a significant threat vector for cybercriminals and nation-state actors targeting enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability is classified as a scripting engine memory corruption issue that differs from the related CVE-2016-3248, indicating distinct attack surfaces within Microsoft's scripting infrastructure. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper memory management during script execution, where attackers can manipulate memory layout to overwrite critical data structures or execute malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves sophisticated memory corruption techniques that exploit weaknesses in how the scripting engines handle memory allocation and deallocation during script processing. Attackers craft malicious web pages containing specially designed JavaScript or VBScript code that triggers buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns within the Chakra engine's memory management subsystem. The exploitation process often begins with a phishing website or compromised web application that delivers the malicious payload through carefully constructed script elements. When the vulnerable browser processes these scripts, the memory corruption occurs in the scripting engine's heap management or stack operations, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical memory regions. This memory corruption can result in code execution at the privilege level of the browser process, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user machines to enterprise environments where browser-based attacks can serve as initial access vectors for broader network compromises.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3259 is substantial across multiple threat vectors within the cybersecurity landscape. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge face elevated risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users regularly browse untrusted websites or encounter social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability within the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use scripting languages to execute their payloads. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption due to the need for emergency patches, potential service interruptions during remediation, and increased incident response activities. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Microsoft products creates a broader attack surface that requires coordinated patch management across various software components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3259 should encompass both immediate defensive measures and long-term security improvements. Microsoft released security updates that addressed this vulnerability through patches to the affected scripting engines, requiring organizations to implement these updates promptly across all affected systems. The recommended approach includes deploying Microsoft's security patches immediately while implementing additional protective measures such as browser hardening, restricting access to potentially malicious websites, and enabling security features like sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms. Network-level defenses should include web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious script patterns associated with this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege when configuring browser environments. Organizations should monitor their systems for signs of exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive logging of browser activity to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate successful compromise. Given the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities, implementing exploit protection mechanisms such as data execution prevention and address space layout randomization can provide additional layers of defense against successful exploitation attempts.