CVE-2017-11914 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
ChakraCore and Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 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-2017-11895, CVE-2017-11901, CVE-2017-11903, CVE-2017-11905, 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-2017-11916, CVE-2017-11918, and CVE-2017-11930.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11914 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Microsoft Edge browser implementation. This vulnerability affects multiple Windows 10 versions including 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, as well as Windows Server 2016, making it particularly widespread across enterprise environments. The core issue stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the scripting engine, creating conditions where malicious code can manipulate memory structures beyond their intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically addressing out-of-bounds memory access issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and exploit development, where an attacker can leverage the memory corruption to escalate privileges and execute code with the same rights as the current user.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-11914 occurs when the ChakraCore engine processes certain JavaScript objects in memory without proper bounds checking or validation. This memory corruption can be triggered through malicious web content or crafted documents that leverage the scripting engine's handling of JavaScript objects. Attackers typically craft payloads that manipulate object references and memory pointers in ways that cause the engine to write data beyond allocated memory regions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to privilege escalation, as successful exploitation allows attackers to gain the same user rights as the current user, potentially enabling further lateral movement within networks. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to escalate access levels, and demonstrates how memory corruption vulnerabilities can serve as initial access vectors for broader attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations deploying affected Windows versions, particularly in enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is commonly used for web browsing and document processing. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Windows 10 releases means that organizations must carefully evaluate their patch management strategies to ensure all affected systems receive updates. The fact that this vulnerability can be triggered through web content makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that could deliver malicious JavaScript payloads. Network administrators and security teams must understand that exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the privileges of the current user account, which could potentially be a local administrator or system account depending on the user context. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue means that even if initial access is gained through other means, this flaw provides a reliable method for attackers to increase their access level within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11914 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in the ChakraCore engine. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016 installations to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling JavaScript in trusted environments, using application whitelisting, and deploying security features like Microsoft's Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit can reduce the attack surface. Network-based protections including web proxies with content filtering, intrusion detection systems, and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious JavaScript payloads targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly susceptible to defense-in-depth approaches, where multiple layers of security controls work together to prevent exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and unusual privilege escalation activities, as these behaviors often precede successful exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to stay informed about exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.