CVE-2015-2425 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 11. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service through memory corruption via a crafted website. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential disruption of services. Given the high CVSS score of 8.8, organizations must prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately to mitigate risks.
The vulnerability was published on July 14, 2015, and is classified under the CWE-787 category for improper control of memory management. It has been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it has been actively exploited in the wild.
Organizations should address this vulnerability as part of their immediate patch management cycle to prevent potential exploitation. The urgency is underscored by the fact that the vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Furthermore, the vulnerability has been assigned an EPSS score of 0.348, placing it within the 97th percentile of risk, indicating a substantial likelihood of exploitation if not patched.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of the vulnerability states that "Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka 'Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability,' a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2383 and CVE-2015-2384." This highlights the specificity and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, categorized as high severity. It is marked with a base score of 8.8 in the CVSS 3.1 metrics, indicating a network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no privileges required for exploitation. User interaction is required, and the impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a memory corruption issue within Internet Explorer 11, which can be exploited by an attacker through specially crafted web content. The attack vector is network-based, requiring the user to interact with the malicious site, which lowers the attack complexity. No special privileges are required for an attacker to execute the exploit.
The attack complexity is considered low, as users merely need to visit a malicious website. This vulnerability may result in significant impacts, including unauthorized access to sensitive data and denial of service, thereby disrupting organizational operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 face a substantial risk with CVE-2015-2425. The memory corruption vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, leading to potential data breaches and service disruptions. The blast radius is significant, as it could affect all users accessing the vulnerable application, significantly impacting operational integrity.
The urgency assessment is critical, given the high CVSS score and the fact that this vulnerability is included in the KEV catalog. Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability in their patch management processes to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected version of Microsoft Internet Explorer is version 11. All versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable. Users of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012 R2 are particularly at risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft to remediate this vulnerability. It is essential to follow the instructions detailed in the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-065, which provides patch details for this vulnerability.
Penetration testing can also help assess the effectiveness of the remediation efforts and identify any remaining vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for behavioral anomalies and unusual network activity is crucial in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also examine logs for indicators of access to malicious sites that could trigger the exploit.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2015-2425 lies in its demonstration of how memory corruption vulnerabilities can lead to severe impacts on organizational security. This incident highlights the necessity for ongoing vigilance and the importance of robust patch management strategies.
Security teams should learn from this incident and implement proactive measures, such as regular security assessments and engaging in penetration testing methodologies to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, staying informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities through continuous learning and adaptation is vital for maintaining security in today’s evolving threat landscape. Engaging in vulnerability management programs can help organizations mitigate risks associated with such vulnerabilities.
Lastly, organizations should implement comprehensive security training for employees to recognize potential threats and improve overall awareness, contributing to a more secure environment.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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