CVE-2016-7206 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-7280.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7206 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in Microsoft Edge browser that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through unspecified attack vectors. This security weakness falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, distinct from the related CVE-2016-7280 which addresses different attack surfaces. The vulnerability impacts Microsoft Edge versions prior to the security patches released in October 2016, making it a significant concern for users operating older browser versions. The flaw specifically affects how the browser processes and renders web content, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes within the context of the user's session.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Microsoft Edge's rendering engine. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages or injecting scripts through various entry points including but not limited to user-supplied content, URL parameters, or malformed web resources. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution within the browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. This type of flaw typically occurs when the browser fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code rather than plain text.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7206 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user security and privacy. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive user data, manipulate browser functionality, or establish persistent access through session manipulation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may access untrusted websites or receive malicious email attachments that trigger the exploit. The information disclosure aspect suggests that attackers might be able to extract sensitive data from the browser's memory or sessionStorage, potentially including authentication tokens, cookies, or other session-related information that could be leveraged for further attacks.
Organizations and individual users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Microsoft Edge versions that contain the relevant security patches released in October 2016. Browser security updates should be prioritized and deployed across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and user education about avoiding suspicious websites or email attachments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and its exploitation patterns correspond to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in web applications and browser configurations.