CVE-2016-3265 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The Chakra JavaScript engine in Microsoft Edge allows 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-2016-3269.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3265 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra JavaScript engine, which serves as the core component responsible for executing JavaScript code in the browser environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the scripting engine's handling of memory allocation and management during JavaScript execution, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through malicious web content. The flaw exists in the way the Chakra engine processes certain JavaScript constructs, particularly those involving object manipulation and memory operations that can lead to improper memory handling and subsequent code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues, which are classified as CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The vulnerability manifests when the Chakra engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries during JavaScript object operations, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted JavaScript code. This memory corruption can occur in various scenarios including object property access, array manipulation, and prototype chain operations where the engine does not adequately check bounds or validate memory access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and other web-based exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is deployed as the primary browser for users. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially gain full control over affected systems, execute arbitrary commands, and establish persistence mechanisms without user awareness. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to disrupt services by causing browser crashes or system instability. The attack surface is extensive since any web application or website that executes JavaScript code can serve as a potential vector for exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with web-based applications or those that require users to access untrusted web content. This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2016-3269, indicating that multiple memory corruption issues exist within the same engine, suggesting a broader class of problems in the Chakra engine's memory management implementation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3265 should focus on immediate patch management, as Microsoft released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability through their regular security bulletin process. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution provides guidance for security monitoring and detection, where network traffic analysis and endpoint monitoring can help identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education about avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated software versions remains crucial. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory corruption issues within the browser ecosystem. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory management practices in browser engines and underscores the need for continuous security testing and code review processes to prevent similar issues in future software releases.