CVE-2017-0222 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer improperly accesses objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-0226.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0222 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer including IE 11 on Windows 10, IE 10 on Windows 7, and IE 9 on Windows Server 2008. The flaw stems from how Internet Explorer handles object references in memory, particularly when processing certain web content that triggers improper memory management operations. Security researchers have classified this issue as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites.
The technical mechanism behind CVE-2017-0222 involves a use-after-free condition that occurs when Internet Explorer attempts to access memory locations that have already been freed or reallocated. This memory management error creates an exploitable state where malicious code can manipulate the freed memory space to execute arbitrary instructions. The vulnerability specifically affects the JavaScript engine within Internet Explorer, where objects are created, referenced, and destroyed during normal web page processing. When certain JavaScript operations are performed in conjunction with specific HTML elements, the browser fails to properly validate object references, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to gain control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-476 as a NULL Pointer Dereference and additionally aligns with CWE-125 as an Out-of-bounds Read condition.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attack vector typically involves hosting malicious content on compromised websites or sending phishing emails with links to infected web pages. Once executed, the exploit can establish a foothold for further attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems as it can be leveraged in targeted attacks against enterprise networks, particularly where Internet Explorer is still in use for legacy applications. Organizations running older versions of Windows and Internet Explorer are most at risk, as these systems lack the security mitigations present in newer versions.
The exploitation of CVE-2017-0222 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates in the context of web browser exploitation, which is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1211 for Exploitation of Remote Services. Microsoft's security advisory recommends immediate patching as the primary mitigation strategy, with the release of security updates that address the memory corruption issue through improved object reference validation and memory management routines. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious traffic associated with exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and suspicious email attachments to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering vectors.