CVE-2015-2502: Internet Explorer memory corruption allows remote code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityIt is a remotely reachable, unauthenticated code execution flaw with confirmed in-the-wild exploitation, KEV listing and very high EPSS, though it requires user interaction.

What it is

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 contains a memory corruption flaw (out-of-bounds write) that a crafted web page can trigger. It was exploited in the wild in August 2015, prompting an emergency Microsoft patch, and it remains in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Impact

An attacker can execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected browser or crash it, giving full control of confidentiality, integrity and availability on the victim's system. Successful exploitation typically yields code execution at the user's privilege level.

Attack surface

Reached over the network via a crafted web site; the CVSS vector shows no privileges required but user interaction required, meaning the victim must visit or be lured to the malicious page. No authentication is needed.

Exploitation

Exploitation is confirmed: the description states it was exploited in the wild in August 2015, it is listed in CISA KEV, and references carry an Exploit tag. EPSS is 0.51127 (98.9th percentile), indicating high predicted exploitation activity.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in MS15-093 (patch first).
• Retire or migrate off Internet Explorer 7 through 11, which are no longer supported.
• Enforce a modern, supported browser as the default and block IE execution where possible.
• Restrict or filter outbound web access and block known malicious sites at the proxy or DNS layer.
• Enable exploit mitigations such as EMET or Windows Defender Exploit Guard on systems that must retain IE.

Detection

• Hunt for iexplore.exe spawning child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe or script hosts, which is abnormal for normal browsing.
• Monitor for crashes or memory-corruption events in iexplore.exe and for unusual outbound connections from the browser process.
• Review proxy and DNS logs for access to known exploit-hosting or malvertising domains tied to this campaign.
• Alert on IE version strings 7 through 11 in asset inventory and prioritize those hosts for patching.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.