CVE-2017-8659 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 1703 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system due to the Chakra scripting engine not properly handling objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8659 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser's Chakra scripting engine on Windows 10 version 1703. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of objects in memory, creating a pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information that could facilitate further compromise of user systems. The Chakra engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine for Microsoft Edge, fails to properly validate memory operations when processing certain object types, leading to potential data leakage that could be exploited by malicious actors.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from insufficient memory management controls within the Chakra scripting engine's object handling mechanisms. When Edge processes specific JavaScript code patterns, the engine does not adequately protect memory boundaries or validate object references, potentially allowing attackers to access memory locations that should remain protected. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a classic example of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's ability to maintain proper isolation between different JavaScript objects and their memory representations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8659 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sensitive data such as stack pointers, heap addresses, or other system information that attackers could leverage for more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Scripting" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" as it provides attackers with the initial information needed to craft more targeted exploits. The vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security mitigations like address space layout randomization (ASLR) or data execution prevention (DEP) by obtaining memory layout information that would otherwise be protected.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that improved memory handling within the Chakra engine and enhanced object validation processes. Organizations should ensure their Windows 10 systems are updated to the latest security patches to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser engines and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of scripting engines that handle complex object-oriented operations. Attackers could potentially combine this information disclosure with other vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution or privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. The remediation process requires system administrators to deploy the appropriate Windows updates and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts that might leverage this vulnerability as a stepping stone for more comprehensive attacks.