CVE-2017-11843 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
ChakraCore and Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 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-2017-11841, 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 • 01/23/2021
This vulnerability resides within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Internet Explorer components, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that affects multiple Windows operating systems including Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 version 1709. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the scripting engine processes objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. This memory corruption issue stems from improper handling of object references and memory management within the JavaScript engine's execution environment, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially escalate their privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These weaknesses in memory management create a pathway for attackers to corrupt memory contents and redirect execution flow. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows privilege escalation from standard user rights to full system access, making it a prime target for exploitation in zero-day attacks. The attack surface is extensive given the widespread use of Internet Explorer and the ChakraCore engine across various Windows platforms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform sophisticated exploitation techniques that leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious code remotely. The attack typically involves crafting specially malformed web content or documents that trigger the vulnerable code path when processed by Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain the same user rights as the current user, which can lead to complete system compromise if the user has administrative privileges. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or where attackers can leverage initial access through phishing campaigns.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patch deployment as Microsoft has released security updates addressing this vulnerability through the Windows Update mechanism. Organizations should implement network segmentation and application whitelisting to limit potential exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the privilege escalation and execution domains, specifically targeting techniques such as 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and 'Command and Scripting Interpreter'. Additionally, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and implementing robust endpoint detection and response capabilities can help identify exploitation attempts. Given the broad range of affected systems, comprehensive vulnerability management programs should include regular assessment of all Windows platforms to ensure timely patching and reduce the window of exposure for this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.