CVE-2016-3271 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The VBScript engine in Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3271 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge's VBScript engine implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the scripting engine's memory management and object handling mechanisms, creating an avenue for remote attackers to extract sensitive data from the process memory space of the affected browser. The flaw manifests when a malicious website constructs a specially crafted web page that triggers improper memory access patterns within the VBScript engine, allowing unauthorized data retrieval from adjacent memory regions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory access validation within the VBScript engine's execution environment. When processing certain script constructs, the engine fails to properly validate memory pointers or object references, leading to information disclosure through memory corruption or access violations. This weakness is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and falls within the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities that have historically plagued scripting engines and browser implementations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and scripting engine reliability, where improper handling of dynamic memory allocation and object lifecycle management creates exploitable conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3271 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data potentially accessible through this vulnerability could include credentials, session tokens, personal information, or other confidential data stored in memory. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about running processes, or extract data that could be used in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Scripting: VBScript" and represents a significant threat to user privacy and system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Microsoft Edge installations to the latest security updates provided by Microsoft, as the primary fix involves correcting the memory handling logic within the VBScript engine. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling VBScript execution, implementing strict content security policies, and employing sandboxing techniques can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous memory access patterns or unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser security architectures and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of scripting engine implementations.