CVE-2018-0860 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Edge and ChakraCore in Microsoft Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and Windows Server 2016 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-2018-0836, CVE-2018-0837, CVE-2018-0838, CVE-2018-0840, CVE-2018-0856, CVE-2018-0857, CVE-2018-0858, CVE-2018-0859, CVE-2018-0861, and CVE-2018-0866.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0860 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's ChakraCore JavaScript engine that affects multiple Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the scripting engine processes objects in memory, creating conditions that could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous because they can lead to complete system compromise when successfully exploited. The vulnerability impacts the ChakraCore engine that powers Microsoft Edge's JavaScript execution, making it a core component of the attack surface for web-based exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects within the memory management system of ChakraCore. When the JavaScript engine processes certain objects, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries or object references, leading to situations where attacker-controlled data can corrupt memory structures. This type of flaw typically occurs when the engine does not properly check array bounds, object lifetimes, or memory allocation patterns during script execution. The vulnerability can be triggered through malicious web content that, when rendered in Microsoft Edge, causes the engine to execute code that overflows or underflows memory buffers, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This behavior aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds reads, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, both of which are common patterns in memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0860 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution without requiring any local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or use as a foothold for further attacks within network environments. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows 10 releases including Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, and 1709, as well as Windows Server 2016, creating a broad attack surface across enterprise and consumer environments. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered through web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where attackers can craft malicious web pages to deliver payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0860 should focus on immediate patch deployment, as Microsoft released security updates to address this specific memory corruption issue. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Windows 10 versions and Windows Server 2016 systems to the latest security patches. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and browser hardening configurations that can help reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that can protect against similar memory corruption issues. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and consider implementing sandboxing or isolation techniques for web browsing activities. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, as the remote code execution capability makes it a high-priority threat requiring immediate attention and remediation.