CVE-2016-3294 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3330.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3294 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Edge versions prior to the security updates released in June 2016, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this browser for web browsing activities. The flaw manifests when Edge encounters crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the browser's memory management mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within Edge's rendering engine, particularly when processing malformed web content. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when visited by an unpatched Edge browser user, trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues. These memory corruption vulnerabilities typically occur when the browser fails to properly validate input data before processing it in memory, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute malicious code at the privilege level of the browser process. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3294 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass significant security risks for enterprise environments. Organizations using Microsoft Edge as their primary browser face potential compromise through drive-by downloads or malicious web pages that exploit this vulnerability. The remote attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised web content. Additionally, the denial of service component of this vulnerability can be exploited to crash the browser or cause system instability, potentially disrupting business operations and productivity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3294 primarily focus on immediate patching and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates in June 2016 that addressed this vulnerability through memory validation improvements and enhanced input sanitization within Edge's rendering engine. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches immediately to protect their systems from exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, deploying browser security extensions, and configuring Edge to run in restricted security modes. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, making it a significant threat in the context of modern attack frameworks. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous web traffic patterns or memory corruption indicators that may precede successful exploitation attempts.