CVE-2017-11834 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, and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to how the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11791.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11834 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer's scripting engine that affects multiple versions of the Windows operating system. This vulnerability specifically targets the way Internet Explorer's scripting engine manages objects in memory, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to extract sensitive information from the system. The flaw exists across a broad range of Windows versions including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, and various Windows 10 releases from Gold through 1709. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental weakness in how the system handles memory management during script execution. This information disclosure vulnerability operates at a low-level memory management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can provide attackers with insights into the system's internal state that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the scripting engine's improper handling of objects in memory, specifically when processing certain script content that triggers memory access patterns. Attackers can craft malicious web content or documents that, when processed by Internet Explorer, cause the scripting engine to inadvertently expose memory addresses, system information, or other sensitive data structures. This information leakage can reveal details about the memory layout, object references, or internal system state that would normally remain protected. The vulnerability operates within the context of the browser's JavaScript engine and Active Scripting components, which are fundamental to how Internet Explorer processes dynamic web content. The flaw does not directly enable remote code execution but provides crucial information that can be used to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization or data execution prevention mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007, this vulnerability aligns with script-based execution methods that can be leveraged to establish a foothold for more advanced exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11834 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems by providing attackers with the building blocks for more sophisticated attacks. When combined with other vulnerabilities or exploitation techniques, this information disclosure can enable attackers to bypass modern security protections such as stack canaries, heap metadata, or other memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions creates a wide attack surface, particularly affecting enterprise environments where older Windows versions may still be in use. Organizations running affected systems face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the leaked information can be used to develop more precise exploitation strategies. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through email attachments, web browsing, or compromised websites. This vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's memory management and object handling processes, which are critical components of the system's overall security architecture, as outlined in the NIST National Vulnerability Database classification.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11834 focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term system hardening approaches. Microsoft released security updates that address the underlying memory handling issues in the scripting engine, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary scripting features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can reduce the attack surface. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious content that targets this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a memory management issue makes it particularly susceptible to defensive programming techniques and runtime protections that can be implemented through system-level configurations or third-party security solutions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability, as well as related issues that may have similar underlying causes. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the risks of visiting untrusted websites remains crucial in defending against exploitation attempts that leverage this information disclosure vulnerability.