CVE-2020-0640 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'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0640 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer that stems from improper memory handling during object access operations. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of Internet Explorer that are part of the Windows operating system ecosystem, making it particularly dangerous due to the widespread deployment of IE across enterprise and consumer environments. The flaw resides in how Internet Explorer processes and manages memory objects, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction or authentication.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program attempts to access memory beyond its allocated boundaries. In the context of Internet Explorer, this manifests when the browser encounters certain web content that triggers improper memory access patterns, leading to memory corruption that adversaries can exploit to gain control over the affected system. The vulnerability typically occurs during the parsing or rendering of web pages containing maliciously crafted content that manipulates the browser's memory management mechanisms. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0640 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or receive malicious email attachments. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, system persistence, and lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet, significantly expanding the attack surface and making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations running unpatched versions of Internet Explorer face substantial risk of being compromised through drive-by download attacks, phishing campaigns, or compromised websites that leverage this memory corruption flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-0640 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as this vulnerability was addressed in the May 2020 security bulletin. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block malicious content before it reaches vulnerable systems. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict security policies, and using sandboxing techniques can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider transitioning away from Internet Explorer to more modern and secure browsers that receive regular security updates and have better memory protection mechanisms. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious memory access patterns and anomalous browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, with particular attention to network connections initiated by browser processes. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting other components of the enterprise infrastructure.