CVE-2017-11790 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer that affects multiple operating system versions across Windows 7, Server 2008, 2012, and 2016 platforms. The issue stems from improper handling of objects in memory during Internet Explorer's processing operations, creating an information leakage channel that adversaries can exploit to gain insights into system internals. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems, where sensitive data is unintentionally exposed to unauthorized parties through improper access controls or memory management practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Internet Explorer's memory management mechanisms failing to properly validate or isolate object references during processing operations. When malicious web content is rendered, the browser's memory handling routines may inadvertently expose memory addresses, system pointers, or other sensitive information that can be harvested by attackers. This information disclosure occurs through mechanisms such as memory leaks, improper object cleanup, or insufficient memory protection boundaries that allow attackers to infer system state information. The flaw essentially creates a side-channel attack vector where an attacker can gather information about the memory layout, process structures, or system configurations that would normally remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information leakage, as the disclosed information can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain memory addresses that may be used to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization, or to craft more effective buffer overflow exploits. The information gained could include stack pointers, heap addresses, or module base addresses that are critical for advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and related attack patterns that leverage information disclosure for privilege escalation or further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in Internet Explorer's object management routines. Organizations should implement network segmentation and web filtering controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious content, while also ensuring that users are educated about safe browsing practices and the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser applications and highlights the need for robust security testing of object lifecycle management in complex software systems. Additionally, implementing security measures such as data execution prevention, heap spraying protections, and regular security assessments can help reduce the overall attack surface and limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.