CVE-2016-3385 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The scripting engine in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2022
The scripting engine in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability resides within the JavaScript engine responsible for processing web content and can be exploited through maliciously crafted web pages. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs during the parsing and execution of JavaScript code, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, providing attackers with broad exploitation capabilities across different client environments. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and the potential for remote code execution maps directly to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds writes in heap memory. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the browser as a primary attack vector, bypassing traditional security controls that might protect against direct system exploitation. The attack surface is extensive given Internet Explorer's widespread deployment across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to corporate networks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper memory management during JavaScript execution, specifically within the engine's handling of object references and memory allocation patterns. When Internet Explorer processes malformed JavaScript code, the scripting engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries, leading to corruption of adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program pointers or execute code in the context of the browser process, which typically runs with elevated privileges on the target system. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications that deliver malicious JavaScript payloads. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific JavaScript code that forces the engine into a state where memory corruption occurs, potentially leading to code execution that can escalate privileges or establish persistent access. This type of vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures and the challenges associated with maintaining memory safety in interpreted environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for JavaScript and VBScript execution, and T1203 for exploitation of remote services, making it a significant threat to enterprise security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch management and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through regular monthly patches, and organizations should implement these updates promptly across all affected Internet Explorer installations. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Network-based mitigations such as intrusion detection systems and web filtering solutions can help detect and block exploitation attempts before they reach vulnerable systems. Security teams should also consider implementing browser sandboxing mechanisms and restricting Internet Explorer usage to trusted sites only, particularly in enterprise environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive browser security management. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling successful exploitation events. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability affects various security frameworks including pci dss requirements for protecting cardholder data and iso 27001 controls for information security management, making proper mitigation essential for regulatory compliance. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in browser security and the necessity of continuous security assessment and remediation activities.