CVE-2017-11919 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 Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016, and Microsoft Edge in 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 the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11887 and CVE-2017-11906.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11919 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine and Internet Explorer implementations across multiple Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically 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 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, as well as Microsoft Edge on compatible systems. The flaw stems from improper handling of objects in memory by the scripting engine, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to escalate their privileges and compromise user systems. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can provide attackers with sensitive data about memory structures and system components. The issue is distinct from related vulnerabilities CVE-2017-11887 and CVE-2017-11906, indicating a separate code path and exploitation methodology that requires specific attention from security professionals and system administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the scripting engine's memory management mechanisms failing to properly validate object references during script execution. When processing certain JavaScript code patterns, the ChakraCore engine does not adequately protect memory addresses or object metadata, allowing attackers to potentially read memory contents that should remain protected. This information disclosure can reveal stack pointers, heap addresses, or other sensitive memory locations that could be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks. The flaw typically manifests when the engine processes malformed or specially crafted JavaScript code that triggers memory access patterns which expose internal structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200 Information Exposure, which specifically addresses situations where unintended information is made available to actors who may not have authorization to access it. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information leakage as it provides attackers with crucial data that can be used to bypass security mechanisms like address space layout randomization and data execution prevention.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11919 presents significant risks to enterprise environments and individual users alike, as the information disclosure can serve as a foundational element for more advanced exploitation techniques. Attackers can utilize the leaked memory information to craft more precise and effective exploits, potentially enabling them to bypass modern security protections such as stack canaries, heap metadata protection, and other memory safety mechanisms. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other exploits, as the memory disclosure information can provide the precise offsets needed to bypass exploit mitigations. This makes the vulnerability especially attractive to threat actors who employ advanced persistent threat campaigns or zero-day exploit development. The attack surface is broad due to the widespread use of Internet Explorer and the ChakraCore engine across various Windows platforms, making it a prime target for widespread exploitation. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks, where users visiting compromised websites or opening malicious documents can trigger the vulnerability without requiring any user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11919 should prioritize immediate patch deployment as Microsoft has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability through their regular security bulletin cycle. Organizations should ensure all affected Windows systems are updated with the appropriate patches, particularly those running older Windows versions such as Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8.1 which remain vulnerable despite their age. Browser isolation techniques can provide additional protection by running Internet Explorer in sandboxed environments or using alternative browsers for sensitive tasks. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious JavaScript patterns that may trigger this vulnerability. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts within system logs and network traffic. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework falls under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter with specific relevance to T1059.007 JavaScript, making it important for security teams to monitor for malicious script execution patterns. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify systems that may still be vulnerable despite patching efforts.