CVE-2016-3260 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft (1) JScript 9, (2) VBScript, and (3) Chakra JavaScript engines, as used in Microsoft Internet Explorer 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple scripting engines within Microsoft's web browser ecosystem. The vulnerability impacts JScript 9, VBScript, and Chakra JavaScript engines that are integral components of Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, and various other Microsoft products. Attackers can exploit this weakness through maliciously crafted websites that trigger memory corruption during script execution, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the scripting engines, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious payloads.
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. These memory corruption flaws occur when the scripting engines fail to properly validate input data or manage memory pointers during script processing. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious web content that, when rendered by affected browsers, causes the engines to corrupt memory regions, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The attack vector specifically targets the parsing and execution phases of JavaScript and VBScript code where memory management becomes critical.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and interact with potentially malicious websites. The exploitation can occur without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as users may inadvertently visit compromised sites. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile browser implementations, amplifying the attack surface. Organizations running affected Microsoft products face potential data breaches, system compromises, and service disruptions. The vulnerability's presence in multiple engines means that traditional perimeter security measures may not provide adequate protection, as the attack can occur through various scripting contexts within the same browser environment.
The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for Scripting, specifically targeting Windows Command Shell and PowerShell execution paths. Attackers typically leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through spear-phishing campaigns that direct users to exploit pages. The exploitation process involves careful crafting of JavaScript or VBScript code that triggers the memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable engines. Mitigation strategies include applying Microsoft security patches immediately, implementing browser hardening measures, and deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques and restricting browser functionality to limit potential exploitation impact. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how complex scripting engines can become attack vectors when memory management flaws exist.