CVE-2017-8726 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, due to how affected Microsoft scripting engines handle objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11794 and CVE-2017-11803.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8726 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that affects multiple Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016. This issue stems from how the affected Microsoft scripting engines manage object handling in memory, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote code execution with the privileges of the current user. The vulnerability specifically impacts the JavaScript and VBScript engines that power web content rendering in Microsoft Edge, making it particularly dangerous in modern web browsing environments where users frequently encounter malicious content.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper memory management during object lifecycle operations within the scripting engines. When Microsoft Edge processes certain web content containing malicious scripts, the scripting engines fail to properly validate or manage memory references to objects in memory, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability class, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an attacker can access memory locations beyond the intended boundaries of allocated objects. The memory corruption occurs during normal browser operation when parsing web content, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites or email attachments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments where users regularly browse the internet and interact with potentially malicious websites. The exploit requires no special privileges beyond normal user access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by simply visiting a compromised website or opening a malicious email attachment. The attack surface is broad given that Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 systems, and the vulnerability affects multiple versions including the widely deployed Windows 10 1511, 1607, and 1703 releases. This vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PowerShell and T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to execute malicious scripts and potentially escalate privileges.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through the normal Windows Update process. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary scripting features and implementing strict content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser components updated, as the exploitation requires no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior, making it particularly challenging to defend against without proper patch management protocols in place.