CVE-2016-3326 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and Edge allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted web page, aka "Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3327.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2022
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that could enable remote attackers to extract sensitive data from affected systems. The issue stems from how these browsers handle certain web page elements and memory management operations, creating opportunities for attackers to access information that should remain protected. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a critical weakness in the software's security architecture. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gather information that could facilitate further exploitation. The flaw manifests when browsers process crafted web pages that trigger memory access patterns, allowing unauthorized data extraction through techniques that exploit the browser's internal handling of sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of browser memory structures and object handling mechanisms within the rendering engine. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that exploit how Internet Explorer and Edge manage memory allocation and object references, leading to information leakage through mechanisms such as heap spraying or memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's ability to properly isolate and secure sensitive data during processing, creating pathways for attackers to access memory contents that contain user data, session information, or other confidential elements. This type of information disclosure vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the browser's security model, particularly concerning how it manages and protects sensitive information during web page rendering operations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, meaning that successful exploitation can potentially compromise user sessions, cached data, and other sensitive information stored in memory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it can provide attackers with the foundational information needed for more sophisticated attacks. Once sensitive information is extracted through this vulnerability, attackers can use the acquired data to conduct targeted attacks against users, including session hijacking, credential theft, or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Microsoft browsers and operating systems, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these browsers are commonly used. Organizations may experience cascading security impacts as attackers leverage the information disclosure to move laterally within networks, potentially compromising multiple systems and users. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can initiate attacks from any location without requiring physical access to target systems. This makes it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on web-based applications and browser-based access to corporate resources. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, meaning that even systems that have not been updated to the latest version may remain vulnerable.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the specific memory handling flaws in affected browsers. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security awareness training for users can help reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the browser ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation technologies that separate browser processes from core system functions to limit the potential damage from information disclosure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated information disclosure attacks that target browser components.