CVE-2016-3295 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 and Microsoft Edge allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11, as well as Microsoft Edge browser implementations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting specially crafted web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions when processed by the affected browsers, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation. The flaw manifests when browsers attempt to process malformed or specially constructed web content that causes memory allocation errors or buffer overflows within the browser's rendering engine. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level where user interactions with web content trigger the exploitation sequence, making it highly accessible to threat actors without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted web content. The attack surface is extensive given that Internet Explorer remains widely deployed in corporate networks, particularly in legacy systems where browser upgrades may be delayed or restricted. The potential for remote code execution means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement within network environments. Additionally, the denial of service component of this vulnerability can be leveraged for persistent disruption of services, making it attractive to both nation-state actors and criminal organizations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing browser isolation techniques, deploying web application firewalls, and establishing strict content filtering policies. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and highlights the ongoing challenges in securing complex browser ecosystems that must support extensive web standards and legacy compatibility requirements. This particular vulnerability exemplifies the broader category of browser-based attacks that leverage memory corruption flaws as primary exploitation vectors, making it a key target for defensive security operations and incident response planning.