External risk intelligence

Microsoft Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability Advisory

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-26411

A memory corruption flaw in Internet Explorer can allow attackers to execute code, potentially leading to system compromise and data breaches. The business risk involves unauthorized system access and operational disruption across affected organizations.

1Halo Surface Signal

Use After Free

Microsoft Edge

119

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-26411

This vulnerability affects a web browser, which is a client-side application. While browsers access the internet, they are not services deployed as internet-facing gateways, servers, or APIs. Exploitation requires a user to navigate to a malicious site or interact with content, meaning the vulnerability itself is not a reachable public-facing network service.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A memory corruption vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer. This flaw can permit an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise. The impact can include unauthorized access and modification of sensitive data, disruption of services, and the installation of malicious software.

  • Vulnerable component: Internet Explorer
  • Core weakness: Memory corruption
  • Main business impact: Code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to corrupt memory in Internet Explorer. This could lead to an attacker gaining the same user rights as the currently logged-in user. Successful exploitation requires a user to visit a specially crafted website.

  • Internet Explorer exposure
  • Attacker crafts malicious website
  • User visits site, attacker gains control

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A memory corruption vulnerability affecting Internet Explorer presents a significant risk due to the potential for attackers to remotely execute code. This could allow unauthorized individuals to gain control over affected systems, leading to data breaches or the disruption of business operations. The broad impact across various Windows operating systems and server versions underscores the importance of addressing this vulnerability.

  • Attackers require low skill.
  • Exploitation requires user interaction.
  • High business risk and urgency.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An organization should prioritize addressing a memory corruption vulnerability affecting Internet Explorer. This type of vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious code by tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted website. The potential impact includes system compromise and data theft.

  • Identify all systems using Internet Explorer.
  • Restrict or isolate access for identified systems.
  • Apply vendor security updates and verify their implementation.
  • Monitor for any unusual activity on affected systems.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability?

A memory corruption vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer. This flaw can permit an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise. The impact can include unauthorized access and modification of sensitive data, disruption of services, and the installation of malicious software. The core weakness is memory corruption in Internet Explorer.

What type of weakness is CVE-2021-26411 and how does it work?

CVE-2021-26411 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Internet Explorer, specifically a use-after-free weakness (CWE-416). This type of flaw allows an attacker to gain the same user rights as the currently logged-in user by corrupting memory. Exploitation requires a user to visit a specially crafted website.

How can an attacker trigger CVE-2021-26411?

An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by crafting a malicious website. When a user visits this specially crafted site using an affected version of Internet Explorer, the attacker can gain control over the system by exploiting the memory corruption.

What is the relevance of the Halo Surface Signal for this vulnerability?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates that this vulnerability is 'Very unlikely' to be a direct internet-facing service. While Internet Explorer accesses the internet, exploitation requires user interaction by visiting a malicious site, rather than a direct attack on a public-facing network service.

What steps should be taken to address this vulnerability?

To address this vulnerability, organizations should identify all systems using Internet Explorer, and if possible, restrict or isolate access for these systems. It is crucial to apply vendor security updates and verify their implementation. Additionally, continuous monitoring for any unusual activity on affected systems is recommended.

References

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

Sources: malpedia