CVE-2017-11894 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 and R2, and and Internet Explorer adn Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 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-2017-11886, CVE-2017-11889, CVE-2017-11890, CVE-2017-11893, 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 • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11894 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Internet Explorer implementations across multiple Windows operating systems. This flaw specifically affects systems running Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 and R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, and various Windows 10 versions including 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, along with Windows Server 2016. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the scripting engine, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the JavaScript engine's memory management system, where the engine fails to properly validate or handle certain object operations in memory. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory structures through maliciously crafted script code, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects both Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers, which are widely used and frequently targeted by threat actors. The issue is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability that could be exploited through malicious web content or documents that trigger the vulnerable JavaScript engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11894 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute code with the same user rights as the current system user. This means that if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a web browser, they could potentially install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistence within the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs when users visit malicious websites or open compromised Office documents that contain malicious JavaScript code. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the execution and persistence phases of an attack lifecycle.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in memory management, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes in memory operations. The flaw demonstrates how improper memory handling in scripting engines can create dangerous attack surfaces that allow adversaries to manipulate memory contents and execute arbitrary instructions. Microsoft has categorized this vulnerability as high severity, and security researchers have noted that it can be reliably exploited in the wild, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. The vulnerability affects both 32-bit and 64-bit systems and can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based exploits and malicious document attachments that trigger the vulnerable JavaScript engine components. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including browser updates, security patches, and network-based protections to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.