CVE-2016-7286 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The scripting engines in Microsoft Edge allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-7288, CVE-2016-7296, and CVE-2016-7297.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The scripting engine vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7286 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's rendering and execution environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the JavaScript and VBScript engines that process web content, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code or induce system crashes through carefully crafted web pages. The flaw manifests when the browser's scripting engines fail to properly validate memory allocations during script execution, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited for privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the core level of the browser's execution environment, where malicious code can directly manipulate memory structures and bypass standard security boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting specific web content that triggers memory corruption within the scripting engine's memory management subsystem. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious websites that contain specially constructed JavaScript or VBScript code designed to corrupt memory addresses or overwrite critical data structures. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking and memory handling within the engine's parser and executor components, allowing attackers to manipulate heap memory or stack frames through malformed script inputs. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory is subsequently accessed or when the engine attempts to recover from the corrupted state. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that enable privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise and individual users who rely on Microsoft Edge for web browsing activities. The remote exploitation nature means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised website scenarios. The memory corruption can manifest as either arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, with the former presenting the most severe threat as it allows attackers to install malware, steal credentials, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's relationship to other related CVEs including CVE-2016-7288, CVE-2016-7296, and CVE-2016-7297 demonstrates a pattern of scripting engine weaknesses that affect Microsoft's browser security model, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies. Organizations using Microsoft Edge are particularly vulnerable as the attack surface includes all web browsing activities, from corporate intranet access to public internet browsing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7286 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability requires no user interaction to exploit once a malicious website is accessed. Security teams should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary scripting languages, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can provide additional defense layers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploit public-facing application, emphasizing the need for both endpoint and network-level protections. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce risk from social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, while monitoring for indicators of compromise such as unusual memory usage patterns or system crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts.