CVE-2018-0800 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge in Microsoft Windows 10 1709 allows an attacker to obtain information to further compromise the user's system, due to how the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0767 and CVE-2018-0780.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0800 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine that operates on Windows 10 version 1709. This weakness specifically manifests in how the JavaScript engine processes and manages objects within memory, creating an avenue for attackers to extract sensitive information that could facilitate further compromise of the targeted system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within the core rendering and execution components of the browser, which are frequently accessed during normal web browsing activities, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper handling of memory objects within Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which is responsible for executing JavaScript code in the browser environment. When certain JavaScript objects are created, manipulated, or destroyed within the engine, the memory management routines fail to properly clear or sanitize sensitive data that may remain accessible through memory inspection techniques. This information disclosure occurs during the normal operation of the browser when executing web content, particularly when dealing with complex JavaScript objects that undergo various transformations during execution. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially access memory addresses, object references, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged to bypass security protections or aid in exploitation of additional vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for adversaries targeting Windows 10 users who have Edge installed. The information disclosure can be exploited to gather intelligence about the browser's memory layout, object structures, and potentially sensitive data that may be stored in memory during normal browser operations. Attackers could use this information to craft more sophisticated exploits that target other vulnerabilities within the same or related components, effectively creating a stepping stone for more advanced attacks. The fact that this vulnerability exists in a widely used browser component means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2018-0767 and CVE-2018-0780 indicates that Microsoft identified multiple related weaknesses in the scripting engine, suggesting a broader architectural issue within the Chakra engine's memory management capabilities.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a precursor to more severe attacks such as privilege escalation or remote code execution. Security researchers have noted that information disclosure vulnerabilities of this nature often provide attackers with the necessary intelligence to bypass modern security mitigations like address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes the improper handling of sensitive information, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the flaw exists in the browser's core execution engine and represents a significant risk to user security and system integrity.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of robust memory management practices in browser engines and the potential for seemingly minor implementation flaws to create substantial security risks. The complexity of modern web browsers and their scripting engines means that vulnerabilities in memory handling can have cascading effects on overall system security, making it essential for organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches and monitor for related vulnerabilities. The specific nature of this flaw in Windows 10 1709 demonstrates how operating system versions can contain inherent security weaknesses that require immediate remediation to prevent exploitation by threat actors.