CVE-2017-11890 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, due to how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11886, CVE-2017-11889, CVE-2017-11893, CVE-2017-11894, CVE-2017-11895, CVE-2017-11901, CVE-2017-11903, CVE-2017-11905, CVE-2017-11907, CVE-2017-11908, CVE-2017-11909, CVE-2017-11910, CVE-2017-11911, CVE-2017-11912, CVE-2017-11913, CVE-2017-11914, CVE-2017-11916, CVE-2017-11918, and CVE-2017-11930.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft's scripting engine that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows 7, 8.1, Server 2008, 2012, and various Windows 10 releases. The vulnerability specifically impacts how Internet Explorer processes objects in memory, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory operations within the scripting engine component, which is responsible for processing javascript and other scripting languages within the browser environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user context level rather than requiring administrative privileges, making it more accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. Attackers typically exploit this vulnerability through malicious web pages or email attachments that trigger the vulnerable scripting engine when rendered in Internet Explorer. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of specific objects in memory, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical function pointers or return addresses. This memory corruption vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects systems that have Internet Explorer installed and are running the affected Windows versions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy applications may still rely on older browser components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying memory handling issues in the scripting engine. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary scripting features, implementing strict content security policies, and using browser isolation techniques. Network-level protections can include web application firewalls that monitor for exploitation attempts and DNS filtering to block known malicious domains. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious email attachments and web content can reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy browser components that may not receive continued security updates. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network logs and endpoint detection systems, as the vulnerability can be used as a initial access vector in broader attack campaigns. This particular vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known exploits and emerging threats in the Windows ecosystem.