CVE-2017-8648 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows Version 1703 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to the way that Microsoft Edge handles objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8597 and CVE-2017-8643.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8648 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that operates on Windows 1703 operating system version. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory objects by the Edge rendering engine, creating opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information that could facilitate further compromise of user systems. The flaw specifically affects the browser's memory management processes during object handling operations, potentially exposing system data that should remain protected within the browser's isolated execution environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Microsoft Edge's insufficient validation and sanitization of memory objects during browser operations. When Edge processes web content containing maliciously crafted objects, the browser fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation patterns, resulting in information leakage through memory corruption or improper object handling. This memory management failure creates exploitable conditions where attackers can potentially access sensitive data from adjacent memory regions, including cached information, temporary variables, or other system resources that should be isolated from malicious code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to gather information that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems. The information disclosure could include user session data, browser cache contents, or other sensitive metadata that would normally remain protected. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, where attackers can potentially extract data that would otherwise be isolated from direct system access, creating a pathway for more sophisticated attacks that could ultimately lead to full system compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes weaknesses related to information exposure, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK framework's information gathering techniques. This flaw specifically relates to T1082, which covers system information discovery, and T1119, which involves automated collection of system information. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deployment of Microsoft security patches, browser hardening configurations, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and restricting Edge's access to sensitive system resources to minimize the potential impact of such information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The distinction between CVE-2017-8648 and related vulnerabilities CVE-2017-8597 and CVE-2017-8643 highlights the specific nature of this memory handling flaw, which operates differently from other Edge vulnerabilities that may involve different attack vectors or exploit mechanisms. This information disclosure vulnerability requires careful monitoring of browser memory operations and implementation of proper input validation to prevent exploitation. Security professionals should also consider the broader implications of browser-based information leakage and implement comprehensive security controls that address multiple attack surfaces within the browser ecosystem.