CVE-2017-8650 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 1703 allows an attacker to exploit a security feature bypass due to Microsoft Edge not properly enforcing same-origin policies, aka "Microsoft Edge Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The CVE-2017-8650 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Edge browser that affects Windows 10 version 1703. This vulnerability stems from the browser's inadequate enforcement of same-origin policy mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access to resources across different domains. The same-origin policy is a core security principle that restricts how documents or scripts loaded from one origin can interact with resources from another origin, serving as a crucial barrier against cross-site scripting attacks and data leakage. When Microsoft Edge fails to properly enforce these policies, it creates opportunities for attackers to bypass essential security boundaries that should protect users from malicious web content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the browser's failure to correctly validate cross-origin requests and responses. This misconfiguration enables malicious actors to perform unauthorized operations that should normally be restricted by the same-origin policy. The flaw specifically impacts the browser's handling of resource access controls, potentially permitting attackers to access sensitive data or perform actions that violate the intended security boundaries between different web origins. This security feature bypass occurs at the protocol level where Edge should enforce strict access controls but instead allows certain cross-origin operations to proceed without proper validation. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental isolation mechanisms that separate different web applications and protect user data from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to include potential privilege escalation and further exploitation opportunities within the browser environment. Attackers could leverage this bypass to access cookies, local storage, and other browser resources that should remain isolated between different origins. This weakness creates pathways for more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and potentially full browser compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the user's browsing experience but also represents a significant threat to enterprise security, as it could enable attackers to move laterally within networks or access sensitive corporate data through compromised browser sessions. Organizations running Windows 10 version 1703 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability exists in the default browser configuration without requiring additional malicious actions from users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8650 should focus on immediate patch deployment and enhanced monitoring of browser activities. Microsoft released security updates that address the same-origin policy enforcement issues in affected versions, and organizations must prioritize applying these patches to prevent exploitation. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual cross-origin resource requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the browser fails to properly verify the authenticity of cross-origin operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing how attackers can leverage browser vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary browser features, enforcing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should focus on browser security configurations to identify similar enforcement gaps that could lead to additional vulnerabilities.