CVE-2018-0777 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, due to how the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0758, CVE-2018-0762, CVE-2018-0768, CVE-2018-0769, CVE-2018-0770, CVE-2018-0772, CVE-2018-0773, CVE-2018-0774, CVE-2018-0775, CVE-2018-0776, CVE-2018-0778, and CVE-2018-0781.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0777 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine that affects multiple Windows 10 versions including Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709 along with Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability operates at the core of Edge's JavaScript engine, specifically targeting how the engine manages objects in memory during script execution. The flaw manifests when the scripting engine fails to properly validate or handle certain memory operations, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector leverages the browser's interaction with web content, where crafted malicious scripts can trigger the memory corruption through improper object handling in the engine's memory management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges within the user context, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a user to interact with malicious content, typically through phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet. Security researchers have noted that the flaw can be triggered through various JavaScript constructs that manipulate object references in memory, particularly when dealing with complex object hierarchies or when objects are moved between different memory segments. This memory corruption vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the engine level, meaning that successful exploitation could bypass traditional security measures such as application whitelisting and sandboxing mechanisms that are typically effective against other attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification aligns with the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when combined with other attack techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0777 require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the July 2018 security bulletin. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016 systems to ensure the scripting engine memory management is properly secured. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and browser hardening configurations that restrict JavaScript execution in sensitive environments. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous JavaScript behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems and highlights the critical nature of browser security engines as attack surfaces, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might deliver malicious payloads designed to exploit this vulnerability, as the successful exploitation requires user interaction with compromised content.