CVE-2017-8547 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 and R2 allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user when Internet Explorer improperly accesses objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8519.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-8547 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. This issue arises from Internet Explorer's improper handling of objects in memory, creating a condition where an attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities where maliciously crafted web content can trigger memory corruption in the browser's rendering engine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer encounters specially crafted web content that causes the browser to improperly access memory objects. Attackers can leverage this memory corruption to manipulate the execution flow of the browser process, potentially leading to privilege escalation and full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges to exploit, as it operates within the context of the currently logged-in user. This means that a successful attack could result in the execution of malicious code that has access to all the user's permissions and data, effectively bypassing many traditional security boundaries. The attack vector typically involves phishing emails or compromised websites that deliver malicious content to unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8547 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and interact with potentially malicious content. Organizations running affected versions of Windows are particularly vulnerable to targeted attacks that exploit this weakness, as it can be used to establish persistent access to systems and potentially move laterally within networks. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed operating systems such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 makes it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise large numbers of systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the initial code execution to gain elevated privileges and establish persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8547 primarily involve applying Microsoft's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory corruption issue in Internet Explorer's memory management. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include configuring Internet Explorer security settings to restrict active content execution, implementing browser isolation techniques, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that might deliver malicious payloads. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue also emphasizes the importance of deploying exploit protection mechanisms and maintaining up-to-date antivirus signatures that can detect and block known exploit patterns associated with this CVE.