Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-118 - Critical

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (3192887)

Published: October 11, 2016 | Updated: December 13, 2016

Version: 2.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9), and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows clients, and Moderate for Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9), Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows servers. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Internet Explorer handles:

  • objects in memory
  • namespace boundaries

For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3192887.

Affected Software

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Operating System Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Updates Replaced*     
Internet Explorer 9
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9  (3191492) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9  (3191492) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9  (3191492) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9  (3191492) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Internet Explorer 10
Windows Server 2012 Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 10[1]  (3192393) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2012 Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 10[1]  (3185332) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Internet Explorer 11
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3192391) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Roll Up[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3185330) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3192391) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3185330) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11[1]  (3192391) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11[1]  (3185330) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3192392) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3185331) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3192392) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3185331) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2012 R2 Security Only[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3192392) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows Server 2012 R2 Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11 (3185331) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows RT 8.1 Monthly Roll-Up[4] Internet Explorer 11[1][2](3185331) Remote Code Execution Critical 3185319 in MS16-104
Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems[3](3192440) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3185611
Windows 10 for x64-based Systems[3](3192440) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3185611
Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems[3](3192441) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3185614
Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems[3](3192441) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3185614
Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems[3](3194798) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3189866
Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems[3](3194798) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3189866

[1]For information about changes in support for Internet Explorer beginning January 12, 2016, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

[2]This update is available via Windows Update.

[3]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.

[4]Beginning with the October 2016 release, Microsoft is changing the update servicing model for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, please see this Microsoft TechNet article.

Note The vulnerabilities discussed in this bulletin affect Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5. To be protected from the vulnerabilities, Microsoft recommends that customers running this operating system apply the current update, which is available exclusively from Windows Update.

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).

Update FAQ

In addition to installing this update are there any further steps I need to carry out to be protected from any of the vulnerabilities discussed in this bulletin?
Yes. For Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems installing the 3191492 cumulative update by itself does not fully protect against CVE-2016-3298 — you must also install security update 3193515 in MS16-126 to be fully protected from the vulnerability.

Does this update contain any additional security-related changes to functionality?
Yes. In addition to the changes that are listed for the vulnerabilities described in this bulletin, this update includes defense-in-depth updates to help improve security-related features.

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the October bulletin summary.

Where specified in the Severity Ratings and Impact table, Critical, Important, and Moderate values indicate severity ratings. For more information, see Security Bulletin Severity Rating System. Refer to the following key for the abbreviations used in the table to indicate maximum impact:

Abbreviation Maximum Impact
RCE Remote Code Execution
EoP Elevation of Privilege
ID Information Disclosure
SFB Security Feature Bypass

 

Vulnerability Severity Ratings and Impact
CVE number Vulnerability title Internet Explorer 9 Internet Explorer 10 Internet Explorer 11 Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10
CVE-2016-3267 Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2016-3298 Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2016-3331 Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE (Win 10 1607 is not affected)
CVE-2016-3382 Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2016-3383 Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability Not applicable Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Not applicable
CVE-2016-3384 Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2016-3385 Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2016-3387 Microsoft Browser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP
CVE-2016-3388 Microsoft Browser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP Windows Clients: Important / EOP Windows Servers: Low / EOP
CVE-2016-3390 Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2016-3391 Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Moderate / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID

Vulnerability Information

Multiple Microsoft Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in the way that Internet Explorer accesses objects in memory. The vulnerabilities could corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, the attacker could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerabilities through Internet Explorer, and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, or websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements, by adding specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerabilities. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically via an enticement in email or instant message, or by getting them to open an email attachment.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3331 No No
Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3383 No No
Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3384 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

FAQ

I am running Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2012 R2. Does this mitigate these vulnerabilities? 
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

Can EMET help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities? 
Yes. The Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) enables users to manage security mitigation technologies that help make it more difficult for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in a given piece of software. EMET can help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer on systems where EMET is installed and configured to work with Internet Explorer.

For more information about EMET, see the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit.

 

Multiple Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in the way that the Scripting Engine renders when handling objects in memory in Microsoft browsers. The vulnerabilities could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerabilities through Internet Explorer or Edge and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the scripting rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerabilities.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying how the Scripting Engine handles objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each of the vulnerabilities in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3382 No No
Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3385 No No
Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2016-3390 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

FAQ

I am running Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2012 R2. Does this mitigate these vulnerabilities? 
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

Can EMET help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities? 
Yes. The Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) enables users to manage security mitigation technologies that help make it more difficult for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in a given piece of software. EMET can help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer on systems where EMET is installed and configured to work with Internet Explorer.

For more information about EMET, see the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit.

Multiple Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities

Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities exist when Internet Explorer or Edge fails to properly secure private namespace. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevated permissions on the namespace directory of a vulnerable system and gain elevated privileges.

The vulnerabilities by themselves do not allow arbitrary code to be run. However, these vulnerabilities could be used in conjunction with one or more other vulnerabilities (e.g. a remote code execution vulnerability and another elevation of privilege) that could take advantage of the elevated privileges when running.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Microsoft browsers handle namespace boundaries.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Browser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-3387 No No
Microsoft Browser Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-3388 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

 

Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3267

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer or Edge does not properly handle objects in memory. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to detect specific files on the user's computer. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that is used to attempt to exploit the vulnerability.

In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-generated content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force a user to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action. For example, an attacker could trick users into clicking a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could potentially read data that was not intended to be disclosed. Note that the vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate a user’s rights directly, but the vulnerability could be used to obtain information in an attempt to further compromise the affected browsers. The update addresses the vulnerability by helping to restrict what information is returned to Internet Explorer.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3267 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3391

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Microsoft browsers leave credential data in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could harvest credentials from a memory dump of the browser process. An attacker would need access to a dump of memory from the affected system.

The update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way Microsoft browsers store credentials in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3391 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

 

Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3298

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer improperly handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could test for the presence of files on disk. For an attack to be successful an attacker must persuade a user to open a malicious website.

The update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-3298 No Yes

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Security Update Deployment

For Security Update Deployment information see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions

  • V1.0 October 11, 2016: Bulletin published.

  • V2.0 (December 13, 2016): Revised bulletin to announce the following updates have been rereleased with a detection change that addresses a supersedence issue that certain customers experienced when attempting to install the October Security Only updates.

    These are detection changes only. There were no changes to the update files. Customers who have already successfully installed any of these updates do not need to take any action. For more information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article for the respective update.

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