CVE-2017-11840 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
ChakraCore and Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows an attacker to gain the same user rights as 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-2017-11836, CVE-2017-11837, CVE-2017-11838, CVE-2017-11839, CVE-2017-11841, CVE-2017-11843, CVE-2017-11846, CVE-2017-11858, CVE-2017-11859, CVE-2017-11861, CVE-2017-11862, CVE-2017-11866, CVE-2017-11869, CVE-2017-11870, CVE-2017-11871, and CVE-2017-11873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11840 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Microsoft Edge browser implementation across multiple Windows operating system versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within the scripting engine, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The flaw manifests when the engine improperly handles object references in memory, leading to potential memory corruption that can be exploited to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption techniques that leverage the ChakraCore engine's handling of JavaScript objects and their memory allocation patterns. Attackers can craft malicious web content or scripts that trigger specific memory access violations, causing the engine to corrupt memory structures and potentially execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution in user contexts. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows attackers to operate with the same user rights as the current system user, potentially enabling further attacks such as credential theft or lateral movement within the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11840 extends across multiple Windows platforms including Windows 10 versions 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, as well as Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server version 1709. This widespread affected scope means that organizations running these operating systems face significant risk, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious web content or be tricked into visiting compromised websites. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications that utilize JavaScript execution. Security researchers have noted that the exploitation typically requires user interaction, making social engineering components particularly dangerous in targeting this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11840 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious JavaScript execution patterns and memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the execution of potentially malicious scripts. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, enabling sandboxing mechanisms, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous memory access patterns. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of memory corruption issues aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management and requires continuous monitoring for similar flaws in the scripting engine components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should specifically target JavaScript engine behaviors to identify potential exploitation pathways that could leverage this or similar vulnerabilities.