CVE-2016-7280 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-2016-7206.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7280 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within 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 broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, distinct from the related CVE-2016-7206 which addresses different aspects of Edge's security posture. The vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Edge versions released in 2016, making it a critical concern for organizations that had not yet updated their browser installations.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Edge's rendering engine. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious web content that, when processed by the browser, executes unintended code in the context of the victim's session. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways exist within Edge's processing of web content, potentially including malformed HTML attributes, JavaScript event handlers, or improperly sanitized user inputs in web forms and dynamic content generation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7280 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, redirect users to malicious websites, or even install malware on affected systems. This vulnerability particularly threatens enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate data through Edge-based applications. The information disclosure aspect implies that attackers could potentially access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data that the browser stores during normal operations.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and browsers. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreters, particularly when attackers leverage browser-based scripting to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security measures including content security policies, regular security updates, and user education about phishing and social engineering attacks that might exploit such vulnerabilities. The remediation approach requires immediate patch deployment for Microsoft Edge and consideration of browser isolation techniques for high-risk environments where users may encounter untrusted web content.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates released as part of their regular patching cycle, emphasizing the importance of maintaining current browser versions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous security monitoring and proactive vulnerability management in enterprise environments where browser-based attacks remain a primary threat vector. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and browser security extensions to provide additional layers of protection against similar XSS vulnerabilities in other browser implementations.