CVE-2016-0024 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
The Chakra JavaScript engine in Microsoft Edge allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2018
The CVE-2016-0024 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution environment for JavaScript code in the browser. This vulnerability specifically targets the scripting engine's memory management mechanisms, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution attacks that could be exploited by malicious actors without user interaction. The Chakra engine is responsible for compiling and executing JavaScript code in Microsoft Edge, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user systems through web-based attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue indicates that attackers can manipulate memory addresses or data structures in ways that lead to unpredictable program behavior and potential code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the Chakra JavaScript engine's implementation, where specific JavaScript code patterns or operations can trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios. Attackers can leverage these conditions by crafting malicious JavaScript code that, when executed in Microsoft Edge, causes the browser to corrupt memory structures in a way that allows arbitrary code execution. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the JavaScript engine could be exploited, potentially including various JavaScript APIs, object manipulation methods, or parsing operations that interact with memory allocation and deallocation processes. This broad attack surface increases the exploitability of the vulnerability and makes it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0024 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction or specific privileges. This means that simply visiting a compromised website or viewing a malicious email attachment could result in system compromise, making it a highly dangerous vulnerability for enterprise and individual users alike. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Edge browsers running on Windows 10 and earlier versions, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited in targeted attacks or mass phishing campaigns. Organizations using Microsoft Edge as their primary browser face critical risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads. The remote execution capability also means that attackers can operate from anywhere in the world, making attribution and defense particularly challenging.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which typically address the underlying memory corruption issues in the Chakra engine. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block known malicious JavaScript patterns. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common memory corruption patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services, demonstrating how attackers can leverage browser-based vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to target systems. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify systems that may still be exposed to this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.