CVE-2012-1539 | Internet Explorer 9 - Browser Engine Operational Intel

Executive Risk Summary

"A use-after-free vulnerability in Internet Explorer 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site. This vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to gain control of the affected system."

Anticipated Attack Path

1. Initial Exploitation: Attacker crafts a malicious web site to exploit the use-after-free vulnerability
2. Privilege Escalation: Exploited code executes with the privileges of the current user
3. Lateral Movement: Attacker uses the compromised system to move laterally within the network

Am I Vulnerable?

Verify that Internet Explorer 9 is updated to the latest patch level
Restrict access to untrusted web sites
Implement a web application firewall to detect and prevent exploitation attempts

Operational Audit Arsenal

Target Type Process

Target Asset iexplore.exe

Standard Path C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer

PowerShell

# 🛠️ Senior Engineer Universal Audit
# Target: iexplore.exe (Process)
$Targets = 'iexplore.exe'
$SearchPaths = @("$env:windir\System32", "$env:ProgramFiles", "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}")

Get-ChildItem -Path $SearchPaths -Include $Targets -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | 
Select-Object FullName, @{Name="Version";Expression={$_.VersionInfo.ProductVersion}}