CVE-2016-3277 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 and Microsoft Edge allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3277 represents a significant security flaw affecting Internet Explorer 10 and 11 as well as Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data through specially crafted web content. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, creating opportunities for attackers to extract confidential information from the victim's system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits memory management mechanisms in Microsoft browsers, specifically targeting how they handle certain web page elements and data structures. Attackers can construct malicious websites that trigger memory corruption behaviors, allowing them to read memory locations that should remain protected from user access. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-200 Information Exposure, where sensitive data is unintentionally revealed to unauthorized parties. The underlying issue occurs in the browser's JavaScript engine and memory allocation routines, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory access violations that can be leveraged for information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3277 extends beyond simple data theft, as the disclosed information can include sensitive system data, user credentials, or confidential application information. Attackers can potentially extract memory contents containing cached data, temporary files, or other sensitive information that applications have stored in memory. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may be browsing untrusted websites, as the attack can occur without any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage browser-based attacks to gain access to system information that can be used for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected browser versions through Microsoft's security updates, as the primary fix involves correcting memory handling routines in the browser's core components. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding safe browsing practices remains crucial. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety in browser implementations and underscores the need for regular security assessments of web browser components to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios that could compromise user privacy and system security.