CVE-2019-0780 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft browsers that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of object references in browser memory management systems, specifically affecting Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers. The vulnerability occurs when browsers process specially crafted web pages that trigger memory corruption during object manipulation, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" categories, which are fundamental memory safety issues that have historically led to severe exploitation vectors. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects multiple Microsoft browser products and can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it highly dangerous in real-world scenarios.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-0780 involves crafting malicious web content that forces browsers to access invalid memory locations or manipulate objects beyond their allocated boundaries. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious websites or delivering compromised content through email attachments or compromised web servers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The memory corruption occurs during normal browser operations when processing web content, making detection difficult and exploitation relatively straightforward for skilled attackers. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as it enables attackers to execute malicious code on target systems through browser-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Microsoft browsers, as it provides attackers with a reliable path to compromise user systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. Organizations may experience data breaches, system infections, and potential lateral movement within their networks once initial compromise occurs. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile browser environments, creating a wide attack surface for threat actors. Security teams must consider the implications of this flaw when assessing their browser security posture, as it represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where browser-based attacks are increasingly common. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond normal browsing, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0780 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, as well as browser hardening measures. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block malicious content. Browser isolation technologies and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the impact of successful exploits. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous browser behavior and unusual network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict access to untrusted websites and enable automatic updates for browser components to minimize exposure windows.