CVE-2017-11903 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
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, 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 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-2017-11890, CVE-2017-11893, CVE-2017-11894, CVE-2017-11895, CVE-2017-11901, 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11903 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Internet Explorer's scripting engine that affects multiple versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the way Internet Explorer manages objects in memory during script execution, creating a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with the same rights as the current user. The flaw exists in the scripting engine's memory management functions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted document.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The memory corruption occurs when Internet Explorer processes certain objects in memory, leading to unpredictable behavior that attackers can leverage to execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw, meaning an attacker can exploit it from a remote location without physical access to the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8.1, and various Windows 10 releases, making it a prime target for widespread exploitation campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2017-11903 allows attackers to gain the same user rights as the currently logged-in user, which typically translates to medium to high privileges depending on the user account. This privilege escalation capability means that if a user with administrative rights is compromised, the attacker could potentially gain full system control. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Windows versions creates a significant attack surface, as it can be exploited against various enterprise environments where different Windows versions coexist. Security professionals have noted that this vulnerability is often exploited through phishing emails containing malicious Office documents or through drive-by downloads from compromised websites.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Windows Command Shell, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary commands. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including regular patch management, network segmentation, and user education to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through techniques like return-oriented programming and just-in-time compilation attacks. Microsoft's security advisory for this vulnerability emphasized the importance of immediate patch deployment, as the flaw was actively being exploited in the wild at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability's unique identification separate from other related CVEs in the same series indicates its distinct technical characteristics, though sharing similar exploitation vectors with the broader set of vulnerabilities affecting the same scripting engine components.