CVE-2017-11906 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, and Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to how Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11887 and CVE-2017-11919.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11906 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer's scripting engine implementation across multiple Windows operating system versions. This vulnerability specifically affects 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 editions including Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, alongside Windows Server 2016. The flaw manifests in how Internet Explorer processes and manages objects within memory, creating an avenue for attackers to extract sensitive information that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of scripting engine issues that have historically plagued Microsoft's browser implementations, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where legacy systems remain operational. The distinct nature of this CVE, separate from related vulnerabilities CVE-2017-11887 and CVE-2017-11919, indicates a unique memory handling flaw that requires specific mitigation approaches. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and demonstrates how improper memory management can create information leakage pathways that attackers can exploit to advance their malicious objectives.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-11906 occurs through Internet Explorer's handling of objects in memory, where insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management creates opportunities for information disclosure. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or documents that trigger the vulnerable scripting engine behavior, allowing them to read memory contents that should remain protected. This information disclosure typically involves accessing memory addresses, heap contents, or other sensitive data structures that could reveal system layout, application state, or other confidential information. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information leakage as the leaked information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks such as heap spraying, address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypasses, or other exploitation techniques. The memory handling flaw likely stems from improper object initialization or memory cleanup processes within the scripting engine's implementation, creating predictable patterns or accessible memory regions that can be harvested by malicious actors. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the disclosed information to craft more effective payloads and exploitation strategies. The vulnerability affects the scripting engine component that processes javascript and other scripting languages within Internet Explorer, making it particularly dangerous for environments where legacy web applications or documents are still in use.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11906 extends significantly beyond immediate information disclosure, as the leaked memory information can provide attackers with critical data needed to bypass security mitigations and execute more advanced attacks. Organizations running affected Windows versions face substantial risk of privilege escalation, remote code execution, and system compromise when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows versions creates widespread exposure across enterprise environments, particularly affecting organizations that have not fully migrated to newer operating systems or have legacy applications that require older browser versions. Attackers can leverage the information disclosure to perform targeted attacks against specific memory layouts, making exploitation more reliable and successful. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through malicious web content or documents, making social engineering attacks particularly effective in combination with this information disclosure vulnerability. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption if exploited, as the vulnerability can enable attackers to gain persistent access to systems and potentially move laterally within networks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where multiple Windows versions are in use, as attackers can target the most vulnerable systems within an organization's infrastructure. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, as it represents a foundational weakness that can enable more sophisticated attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11906 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures to reduce exposure. Microsoft released security updates that address the scripting engine information disclosure vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected Windows versions. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction, so implementing user education and awareness programs can significantly reduce successful exploitation attempts. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls, content filtering, and browser hardening configurations can help reduce attack surface. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls like exploit protection, application whitelisting, and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploit prevention techniques, as attackers require specific conditions to successfully leverage the information disclosure. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of this specific vulnerability to ensure proper mitigation implementation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting attempts to access memory contents or unusual browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure issue means that organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure proper handling of potential information leakage events. Implementation of the Microsoft security updates should be prioritized in accordance with the organization's risk assessment and patch management policies, with particular attention to systems that are most exposed to external threats or have high-value data assets.