CVE-2016-3327 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-2016-3326.
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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 critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain web page elements that results in unintended data exposure to malicious actors. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this issue maps to CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure" where system information is unintentionally made available to unauthorized parties. The flaw specifically manifests when browsers process crafted web content that triggers information leakage mechanisms within the browser's memory management or rendering engine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of browser-specific memory structures and object handling routines that fail to properly sanitize or isolate sensitive information during web page processing. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, cause the browser to inadvertently expose memory contents or internal state information that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when considering how such information disclosure can be leveraged as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as the leaked information can potentially be used to facilitate further exploitation attempts or provide attackers with insights into system configurations and browser internals.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on affected browser versions, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited without user interaction. Once a malicious web page is accessed, the information disclosure occurs automatically, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised content. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple browser versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the rendering engines' security model, suggesting that similar patterns may exist in other browser components. Organizations may experience cascading security implications as attackers use the leaked information to refine their attack vectors, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches that address the specific information disclosure mechanisms. System administrators should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious content. Network-level protections should include web filtering solutions that can identify and block known malicious web content patterns associated with this vulnerability. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can help reduce the potential impact of information disclosure events. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted web content and recognizing potentially malicious web pages that may exploit such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual information disclosure patterns within their network traffic to identify potential exploitation attempts.