External risk intelligence

Internet Explorer ASLR Bypass Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2015-0071

Microsoft Internet Explorer has a vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass security protections, potentially leading to unauthorized system access. This impacts organizations using affected versions by weakening their defenses. The realistic business risk involves reduced system integrity and the possibility of fu

4Halo Surface Signal

Microsoft Internet Explorer

91011

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2015-0071

The vulnerability affects Internet Explorer, a web browser designed specifically to consume content from the public internet. While exploitation requires user interaction to visit a crafted website, the attack surface itself is the browser application which is commonly used to access public-facing web services and content.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Microsoft Internet Explorer is affected by a vulnerability that bypasses a security feature designed to protect against certain types of attacks. This bypass could allow an attacker to gain an advantage in exploiting other weaknesses within the system. The primary impact is a reduction in the effectiveness of a core security mechanism.

  • Internet Explorer browsers
  • Bypass of security protection feature
  • Weakened system defenses

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

Internet Explorer is exposed to a crafted website that bypasses security protections. An attacker can exploit this to gain control. This vulnerability primarily affects the integrity of data and systems.

  • Network exposure, no authentication needed.
  • Attacker hosts a malicious website.
  • User visits website; attacker gains control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass a security feature in older versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Exploitation requires tricking a user into visiting a malicious website, which could then lead to unpredictable system behavior. Organizations utilizing affected Internet Explorer versions should consider this a heightened risk.

  • Attackers with low skill.
  • Users visiting malicious websites.
  • High business risk and urgency.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass security protections in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Organizations should investigate potential exposure to this vulnerability and implement appropriate mitigation and remediation steps. Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining the security posture of affected systems and protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or manipulation. The potential for bypassing security mechanisms like ASLR presents a significant risk if not managed effectively.

  • Identify Internet Explorer installations.
  • Restrict or isolate vulnerable systems.
  • Apply vendor updates and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Internet Explorer and what was it used for?

Microsoft Internet Explorer was a web browser used for accessing websites and online content. It was integrated into many versions of the Windows operating system, allowing users to navigate the internet.

What is the Internet Explorer ASLR Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2015-0071)?

CVE-2015-0071 is a vulnerability in Internet Explorer that allows attackers to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). ASLR is a security feature that makes it harder for attackers to predict memory locations, thus hindering their ability to exploit other weaknesses.

How can an attacker trigger the ASLR bypass in Internet Explorer?

An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by hosting a specially crafted website. A user must then visit this malicious website using an affected version of Internet Explorer. The vulnerability is not triggered if the user does not visit the attacker's website.

Who should be concerned about this Internet Explorer vulnerability?

Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer should be concerned. Because Internet Explorer is a web browser, it is often used to access content from the internet, making it a potential target for external threats.

What is the first step for someone running affected Internet Explorer technology?

The first step is to identify all installations of affected Internet Explorer versions within your environment. It is also advisable to consider restricting or isolating these systems until appropriate security measures can be applied.

References