CVE-2017-11895 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
ChakraCore, and Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Internet Explorer and 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-2017-11894, 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-2017-11895 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Internet Explorer implementations across multiple Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets how the scripting engine manages object memory allocation and deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The issue affects Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and various Windows 10 versions including 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, along with Windows Server 2016. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the browser's JavaScript engine architecture, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical root cause of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references and memory management within the ChakraCore engine. When processing certain JavaScript code patterns, the engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries and object lifecycles, leading to situations where memory can be overwritten or accessed in unintended ways. This flaw aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are common categories for memory corruption vulnerabilities in scripting engines and web browsers. The vulnerability allows for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker can gain the same user rights as the current user, effectively breaking the security boundary between the browser process and the underlying operating system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the user's privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11895 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed browser components that are frequently used in enterprise environments, making it a prime target for targeted attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, phishing emails with embedded scripts, or compromised web applications that deliver malicious JavaScript payloads. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how attackers can leverage the scripting engine flaw to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches released as part of the November 2017 security bulletin. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and web application firewalls to limit exposure to malicious content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping browser components updated, as this flaw specifically affects legacy browser versions that may not receive regular security updates. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to JavaScript-based attacks and consider implementing runtime application protection measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Given the broad scope of affected systems, organizations should prioritize patching across all supported Windows versions, particularly those running Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, as these components are most vulnerable to this specific memory corruption flaw.