CVE-2017-11793 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, due to how the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11792, CVE-2017-11796, CVE-2017-11798, CVE-2017-11799, CVE-2017-11800, CVE-2017-11801, CVE-2017-11802, CVE-2017-11804, CVE-2017-11805, CVE-2017-11806, CVE-2017-11807, CVE-2017-11808, CVE-2017-11809, CVE-2017-11810, CVE-2017-11811, CVE-2017-11812, and CVE-2017-11821.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer's scripting engine that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 version 1703. The issue stems from how the scripting engine manages objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The vulnerability specifically impacts the JavaScript and VBScript engines that are integral components of Internet Explorer's web browsing functionality, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where users might encounter malicious content through compromised websites or phishing emails. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of certain objects within the scripting engine's memory management system, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution that could compromise system integrity and user data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web content that triggers the vulnerable code path in Internet Explorer's scripting engine, causing memory corruption that allows for code injection attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code on targeted systems through web-based attack vectors. The flaw specifically manifests when the scripting engine attempts to handle certain objects in memory, particularly those that involve complex object manipulation or memory allocation patterns that can be manipulated by attackers to overwrite memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Since the vulnerability operates at the scripting engine level, attackers can leverage it to bypass security controls, install persistent backdoors, or establish command and control channels without requiring elevated privileges. The affected platforms include both desktop and server operating systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use for legacy applications. Organizations running these vulnerable versions of Windows are at risk of targeted attacks that could result in significant data breaches, as the vulnerability allows for execution of arbitrary code in the context of the currently logged-in user, which typically has access to sensitive corporate resources and data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the company released patches for all affected operating systems to address the memory corruption issue. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to malicious websites that might exploit this vulnerability. Browser isolation techniques and the deployment of modern browsers with better security models can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections or file modifications that might indicate successful exploitation. The implementation of principle of least privilege and regular security assessments can help reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while maintaining up-to-date antivirus signatures and endpoint protection solutions provides additional detection capabilities for malicious code execution attempts.