CVE-2017-11803 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 1703, 1709 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to how Microsoft Edge handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11833 and CVE-2017-11844.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Edge browser running on Windows 10 versions 1703 and 1709, as well as Windows Server version 1709, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that could enable attackers to gather sensitive data about the underlying system. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the Edge browser engine, specifically within the JavaScript engine's memory management processes. When Edge processes certain web content, it fails to properly validate or sanitize memory objects, creating opportunities for attackers to extract information about the browser's internal state, memory layout, or system resources that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption patterns that occur during the execution of JavaScript code within Edge's rendering engine. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious web pages that trigger specific memory access patterns, potentially leading to the exposure of memory addresses, system pointers, or other sensitive information that could be used in subsequent attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a classic case of memory safety issues that can be exploited through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure means that while it may not directly execute arbitrary code, it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that significantly increases the risk of more severe exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information leakage, as the extracted memory information can serve as a crucial stepping stone for advanced persistent threats. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can use the disclosed information to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization, stack canaries, or other exploit protection mechanisms. The information disclosure could reveal heap layout details, function pointers, or other memory structures that would otherwise be protected, making subsequent exploitation attempts much more likely to succeed. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' as it provides the reconnaissance data necessary for more sophisticated attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Microsoft security updates that address the memory handling issues in Edge's JavaScript engine. Organizations should prioritize patch management and ensure all affected Windows 10 and Server systems receive the relevant security updates immediately. Additionally, implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, enabling strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques can reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts in browser processes, while endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify potential exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis of browser memory operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser engines and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of JavaScript engines to prevent similar issues in the future.