CVE-2017-11841 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-2017-11840, 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-2017-11841 affects Microsoft ChakraCore and Microsoft Edge across multiple Windows operating system versions including Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server version 1709. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the scripting engine component, creating a critical security flaw that allows attackers to escalate privileges to the same level as the current user. The vulnerability specifically targets the ChakraCore JavaScript engine that powers Microsoft Edge and other applications, making it particularly dangerous as it affects a core component used across various Microsoft products and platforms.
This memory corruption vulnerability represents a classic type of security flaw that falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient memory protection mechanisms allow attackers to corrupt memory contents. The flaw occurs during the execution of JavaScript code within the Edge browser or other applications utilizing ChakraCore, where the engine fails to properly validate memory operations when handling objects. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user's privileges. The vulnerability's impact is significant because it allows for privilege escalation without requiring administrative rights, making it particularly attractive for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate their privileges within a compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11841 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute malicious code in the user context, which can be leveraged for various attack vectors including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or deployment of additional malware. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes local privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through malicious scripts or code. The attack surface is broad given that ChakraCore is used in multiple Microsoft products, meaning that exploitation could occur through various entry points including web browsing, email attachments, or even through malicious websites that leverage the vulnerability in the Edge browser.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11841 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability in their regular monthly security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure, disable unnecessary JavaScript execution where possible, and employ application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of malicious code. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption issue makes it particularly susceptible to exploit prevention techniques such as address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and heap metadata protection mechanisms. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous JavaScript execution patterns and unusual privilege escalation attempts, while incident response procedures should include immediate isolation of affected systems and thorough forensic analysis of compromised endpoints to identify potential lateral movement or persistence mechanisms that attackers might have deployed using this vulnerability.