CVE-2016-3297 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 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 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code or cause system instability. The flaw exists in the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components where insufficient input validation and memory management controls allow crafted malicious content to trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. According to CWE-125, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787, "Out-of-bounds Write," indicating the browser's failure to properly validate memory boundaries during object manipulation. The attack vector requires a malicious website that, when loaded in the affected browsers, can cause arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The memory corruption occurs when the browser processes specially crafted JavaScript or HTML content that triggers memory allocation errors, potentially leading to code execution in the context of the browser process. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could leverage the flaw to gain elevated system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting web content that manipulates the browser's memory management systems through JavaScript objects and DOM elements. Attackers typically construct malicious web pages containing specific patterns of code that, when processed by the affected browsers, cause memory corruption errors. The flaw specifically affects the browser's handling of memory allocated for JavaScript objects, particularly in scenarios involving object reuse and garbage collection. When the browser encounters malformed or specially constructed input, it fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can then be leveraged to overwrite critical function pointers or execute arbitrary code through Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) chains or direct code injection techniques. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer and Edge indicates a fundamental issue in Microsoft's rendering engines that affects multiple browser implementations. Security researchers have noted that the flaw often manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions, where freed memory blocks are accessed after deallocation, creating exploitable conditions for remote code execution. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," demonstrates how attackers can leverage the browser vulnerability to execute malicious commands through JavaScript code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across enterprise environments where Microsoft browsers are widely deployed, creating significant risk for organizations that have not implemented proper security controls. Organizations running legacy versions of Internet Explorer 9 through 11 face particular risk since these versions are no longer supported with security updates, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors. The vulnerability's ability to cause both remote code execution and denial of service makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise systems or disrupt operations. In enterprise settings, this vulnerability can serve as a primary attack vector for initial compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access through browser-based attacks. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering techniques. Organizations implementing security controls such as exploit protection, application whitelisting, and browser hardening measures can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's impact on Microsoft Edge also indicates that the underlying architectural issues affecting Internet Explorer have not been fully addressed in the newer browser implementation, suggesting a broader problem in Microsoft's browser security architecture. According to industry best practices and security frameworks, organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, security patches, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through security updates and browser hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize applying Microsoft security patches that address the memory corruption issues in affected browser versions, with particular attention to Internet Explorer 9 through 11 where patches are available. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can reduce exploitation risk. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious web content targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious browser activity and anomalous memory usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with security frameworks emphasizing the importance of memory safety controls and proper input validation. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and using modern browsers with better security track records to reduce risk exposure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack surfaces to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability's impact on both legacy Internet Explorer versions and Edge highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and avoiding reliance on outdated browser implementations that may contain unpatched security flaws.