CVE-2017-8740 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 1703 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, due to the way that the Microsoft Edge scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8649, CVE-2017-8660, CVE-2017-8729, CVE-2017-8738, CVE-2017-8740, CVE-2017-8741, CVE-2017-8748, CVE-2017-8752, CVE-2017-8753, CVE-2017-8755, CVE-2017-8756, and CVE-2017-11764.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
This vulnerability resides within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine, specifically manifesting as a memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. The issue affects Microsoft Windows 10 version 1703 and represents a critical security gap in how the browser's JavaScript engine processes and manages memory objects. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during script execution, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and ultimately execute malicious code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious code. The scripting engine's failure to properly validate memory operations during object handling creates a pathway for exploitation that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a means to execute arbitrary code without requiring elevated privileges, effectively allowing for user-level compromise. An attacker could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Microsoft Edge, would trigger the memory corruption scenario and subsequently execute malicious payloads. This could lead to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that users need only visit compromised websites or receive malicious emails with embedded web content to be at risk, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the August 2017 security bulletin. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary scripting features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and anomalous browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting client-side applications.