CVE-2017-8644 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to disclose information due to the way that Microsoft Edge handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8652 and CVE-2017-8662.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-8644 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that affects multiple Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects in memory during browser operations, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to extract sensitive data from affected systems. The issue specifically impacts the rendering engine and memory management components of Microsoft Edge, which are responsible for processing web content and maintaining browser state information.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Microsoft Edge manages memory objects when processing web content, particularly in scenarios involving complex web page elements and dynamic content rendering. When the browser encounters certain memory operations, it fails to properly validate or sanitize object references, potentially allowing attackers to access memory locations containing sensitive information. This flaw falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a classic case of improper memory management that can lead to data leakage. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that could enable attackers to extract information from the browser's memory space.
From an operational perspective, this information disclosure vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is the primary browser for web-based applications and services. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract session cookies, user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data that may be stored in the browser's memory during normal operation. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy concerns to potentially compromise entire corporate networks if attackers can use the leaked information for further attacks such as credential reuse or privilege escalation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for "Data from Local System" and could contribute to broader attack chains involving information gathering and reconnaissance activities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires a user to visit a malicious website or be tricked into interacting with crafted content that triggers the memory handling flaw. Once triggered, the attacker can potentially access memory segments that contain sensitive information from other processes or browser components. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other exploits, as the leaked information could provide attackers with additional attack surface or enable more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should consider implementing network-based protections, browser hardening measures, and regular patch management procedures to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory management practices in browser security and highlights the need for continuous security testing and validation of web browser components against memory-related attack vectors.