CVE-2017-11844 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-2017-11803 and CVE-2017-11833.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11844 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that affects Windows 10 versions 1703 and 1709, as well as Windows Server version 1709. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory objects within the browser's rendering engine, creating opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information that could facilitate further exploitation of the target system. The flaw specifically manifests when Edge processes certain web content that triggers memory management issues, potentially exposing system information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way Microsoft Edge manages object references and memory allocation during web page rendering operations. When processing malformed or specially crafted web content, the browser's JavaScript engine fails to properly validate memory pointers and object references, leading to information leakage through memory corruption mechanisms. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which catalogs weaknesses related to information exposure, and demonstrates how improper memory handling can create pathways for attackers to gather system information. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security and memory management, where the boundary between user-space applications and system-level information becomes compromised.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11844 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gather information about the target system's memory layout, browser internals, and potentially other running processes, which significantly reduces the attack surface for subsequent exploitation attempts. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and other exploit mitigations that rely on the unpredictability of memory locations. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under the information gathering phase, specifically targeting the collection of system information that enables more advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the flaw exists within the core browser functionality that cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Windows 10 and Windows Server systems to prevent exploitation, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline memory access patterns to identify anomalous behavior that might indicate information disclosure attempts. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as enabling sandboxing features and restricting access to sensitive system resources can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation of this memory management vulnerability.