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Critical

Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability

IdentifiersCVE-2015-0042CWE-119

CVE-2015-0042 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11. Microsoft describes it as an "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability" in which a remote attacker can trigger improper handling of objects in memory by luring a user to a specially crafted web page. The flaw is distinct from CVE-2015-0038 and CVE-2015-0046. Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, and the same memory corruption condition may also cause denial of service through browser instability or crash. The associated fixes in Security Update 3034682 modify how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can allow remote code execution with the privileges of the current user. If the user is running with administrative rights, the attacker may be able to fully compromise the affected system. In lower-privilege contexts, the attacker would gain the user's level of access and could potentially use that foothold for further post-exploitation activity. The vulnerability can also be triggered in a way that causes denial of service via memory corruption and browser crash.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Microsoft stated there were no specific workarounds or mitigating factors for the memory corruption vulnerabilities in this bulletin. Practical exposure reduction includes operating users without administrative privileges and limiting browsing to untrusted content. On Windows Server platforms, Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration reduces exposure to specially crafted web content, which is one reason server SKUs were generally rated Moderate rather than Critical.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Microsoft's Security Update 3034682 for the affected Internet Explorer versions. Per Microsoft's bulletin, systems running Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11 require both update 3021952 and update 3034196 for full protection, with 3021952 installed before 3034196 when installed manually. On some platforms, installation of 3021952 also installs update 3023607 and, where applicable, 3036197 automatically. Upgrading to a supported, fully patched browser version is recommended.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Microsoft CorporationInternet Explorerapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

2 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

2 SOURCESView more in app
What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES
MITRE CVE
cve.org · CVE-2015-0042
NVD
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0042
MITRE CWE · CWE-119
cwe.mitre.org
securityfocus.com
securityfocus.com/bid/72412
securitytracker.com
securitytracker.com/id/1031723
docs.microsoft.com
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2015/ms15-009