CVE-2016-7227 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The scripting engines in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge allow remote attackers to determine the existence of local files via unspecified vectors, aka "Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7227 represents a significant security flaw in the scripting engines of Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and Microsoft Edge browsers. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform information disclosure attacks by determining the existence of local files on a target system through unspecified vector mechanisms. The flaw resides within the core scripting engine components that handle web content execution and file system interactions, creating a pathway for adversaries to gather sensitive information about local file structures without direct system access. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure issues that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way scripting engines process and handle file system references within web content. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that leverage the browser's scripting capabilities to probe local file systems and determine whether specific files exist on the target machine. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths may be available through different scripting contexts or execution flows within the browser's JavaScript engine and related components. This information disclosure capability operates at the application layer, where the browser's security boundaries are insufficiently enforced when processing potentially malicious content from remote sources. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the browser's file system access controls and privilege separation mechanisms, allowing web-based attacks to bypass normal operating system security restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7227 extends beyond simple information gathering, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can inform more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can map local file structures, potentially identifying sensitive files, configuration data, or system artifacts that could be targeted in subsequent phases of an attack. This reconnaissance capability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries first gather intelligence before executing more dangerous operations. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Microsoft browsers and operating systems, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple platforms and configurations. Organizations running affected browser versions face increased risk of targeted attacks that leverage this information disclosure to plan more effective exploitation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the underlying scripting engine flaws, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to limit file system access capabilities and implement additional sandboxing measures that separate web content execution from local system resources. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential information disclosure events. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors and exploitation techniques.