CVE-2016-7278 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site, aka "Windows Hyperlink Object Library Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of hyperlink objects within the browser's Hyperlink Object Library, which is part of the Windows operating system's component object model architecture. When a malicious website crafts specific hyperlink elements, the browser's processing of these objects can lead to memory corruption that exposes sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, where attackers can gain access to data that should remain confidential. The flaw specifically impacts how Internet Explorer manages hyperlink objects during rendering and processing, creating a pathway for memory content leakage that could include credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page loads and triggers the browser to process a crafted hyperlink object that causes memory to be improperly handled during the object's lifecycle. This memory handling issue creates a situation where adjacent memory regions containing sensitive information become accessible to the attacker. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level and leverages legitimate browser functionality to achieve its malicious goals. The attack vector requires only a user visiting a compromised website, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit malicious sites, potentially leading to credential theft, session hijacking, or other advanced persistent threats that could compromise entire networks.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can use the leaked memory information to perform further exploitation attempts such as address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypasses or heap spraying attacks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may use the leaked information to craft more targeted attacks against the victim's system. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that could lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within their networks. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser components and highlights the risks associated with complex object model implementations in web browsers. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect unusual memory access patterns and ensure that all Internet Explorer installations are updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.