External risk intelligence

Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2017-0222

A memory corruption vulnerability in Internet Explorer allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. This impacts systems using the browser and poses a risk of system compromise, affecting data and operations.

2Halo Surface Signal

Out-of-bounds Write

Microsoft Internet Explorer

911

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2017-0222

The vulnerability affects a client-side web browser. While browsers are used to access the internet, they are not internet-facing services or gateways that accept unsolicited incoming network connections. Exposure relies on a user visiting a malicious site, making it a client-side attack surface rather than an externally reachable service.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This occurs when the browser improperly handles objects in memory. Such an issue can lead to a compromise of the affected systems.

  • Vulnerable component: Internet Explorer
  • Core weakness: Memory access flaw
  • Main business impact: System compromise

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting how Internet Explorer handles memory objects. An attacker could leverage this by convincing a user to visit a specially crafted website. Successful exploitation could lead to the attacker gaining control of the affected system, potentially impacting data and ongoing business operations.

  • Websites accessible via Internet Explorer
  • Malicious website visited by user
  • Memory corruption leads to code execution

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system if a user visits a malicious webpage using an affected version of Internet Explorer. The exploit requires user interaction to trigger, making it a plausible threat for organizations with employees who browse the internet. Successful exploitation could lead to a compromise of the affected system, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and services.

  • Attackers with moderate skill.
  • Requires user to visit malicious site.
  • High business risk.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An organization should take immediate action to address a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Internet Explorer. This vulnerability allows for the improper access of objects in memory, potentially leading to system compromise. Prompt identification and mitigation of exposed assets are critical to protecting the organization's environment.

  • Identify all Internet Explorer installations.
  • Restrict access to affected systems.
  • Apply vendor updates and validate remediation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Internet Explorer and what is its role in system vulnerabilities?

Internet Explorer is a web browser developed by Microsoft. Vulnerabilities within it, such as memory corruption flaws, can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious code on a user's system.

What type of weakness does CVE-2017-0222 represent and how is it classified?

CVE-2017-0222 is a memory corruption vulnerability, specifically an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787). This means the software writes data beyond the allocated memory buffer, which is a critical weakness.

How can an attacker exploit the CVE-2017-0222 vulnerability in Internet Explorer?

An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by luring a user to visit a specially crafted website using an affected version of Internet Explorer. This user interaction is necessary for the exploit to occur.

What is the significance of CVE-2017-0222 as per the Halo Surface Signal?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates that while CVE-2017-0222 affects a client-side browser, its exposure relies on user interaction with a malicious site rather than direct external network connections, making it a client-side attack surface.

What practical steps should an organization take to address this Internet Explorer vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all Internet Explorer installations, restrict access to affected systems, and promptly apply vendor updates to remediate the vulnerability and protect their environment.

References