CVE-2018-0836 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge and ChakraCore in Microsoft Windows 10 1703 and 1709 allows remote code execution, due to how the scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0834, CVE-2018-0835, CVE-2018-0837, CVE-2018-0838, CVE-2018-0840, CVE-2018-0856, CVE-2018-0857, CVE-2018-0858, CVE-2018-0859, CVE-2018-0860, CVE-2018-0861, and CVE-2018-0866.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0836 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's ChakraCore JavaScript engine, affecting Windows 10 versions 1703 and 1709. This issue stems from improper handling of objects in memory during script execution, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the scripting engine's memory management mechanisms, where objects are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed, leading to potential memory corruption that adversaries can leverage to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted malicious web content that triggers the memory corruption when the ChakraCore engine attempts to process specific JavaScript objects. This flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector typically involves visiting a malicious website or receiving crafted email attachments that contain malicious JavaScript code designed to exploit the specific memory handling issue within the ChakraCore engine. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially establish persistent access to affected systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments as it can be exploited remotely without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation. The affected Windows 10 versions 1703 and 1709 represent a substantial portion of enterprise deployments, increasing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through web-based attacks, making it difficult to defend against using traditional network security measures alone. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting, where adversaries leverage scripting engines to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0836 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issue in the ChakraCore engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. Network defenders should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as browser hardening configurations, disabling unnecessary scripting capabilities, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious JavaScript content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, including the execution of malicious code within the targeted browser environment, making user education and awareness programs crucial components of defense strategies. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous JavaScript execution patterns and memory access behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts.