CVE-2016-7181 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7181 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that enables remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or system denial of service. This vulnerability specifically affects the Edge rendering engine and occurs when processing specially crafted web content that triggers memory management errors during page rendering. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory allocations and deallocations when parsing complex web elements, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code remotely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious web pages that leverage memory corruption patterns to overwrite critical memory segments or execute code within the browser's memory space. Attackers can construct web content that triggers buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow them to gain control over the browser process and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's trusted execution environment, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures.
This memory corruption vulnerability has significant operational impact on organizations that rely on Microsoft Edge as their primary browser for web-based applications and services. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly effective for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. Organizations face potential data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption when this vulnerability is exploited, with the severity amplified by the browser's wide usage across enterprise environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which are common categories for memory corruption issues in web browsers. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack chain typically involves initial compromise through web-based delivery mechanisms followed by privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7181 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates to the affected Edge browser versions. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious web content. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining regular security updates form essential components of defense-in-depth strategies. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated software versions to reduce exploitation risk.