CVE-2018-0870 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer improperly accesses objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 11. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0991, CVE-2018-0997, CVE-2018-1018, CVE-2018-1020.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0870 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of object references in memory during web browsing operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when Internet Explorer processes certain web content that triggers memory management errors, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control through crafted web pages or malicious content delivered via web browsers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Internet Explorer 11 manages memory objects during rendering and script execution processes. When the browser encounters specific combinations of HTML elements, JavaScript code, or ActiveX controls, it fails to properly validate memory pointers or object references, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite memory locations, potentially allowing for code injection attacks that bypass standard security mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Internet Explorer 11 for business operations or legacy applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including phishing emails with malicious links, compromised websites, or drive-by download scenarios where visiting a malicious webpage automatically triggers the exploit. The remote code execution capability means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistence mechanisms, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects all versions of Internet Explorer 11 running on supported Windows operating systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy browser support is maintained.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-0870 primarily focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft's security updates and patches. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the Microsoft security bulletin MS18-034 which addresses this vulnerability through memory management improvements and enhanced object validation routines. Additionally, implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls, restricting JavaScript execution, and employing enhanced security zones configurations can reduce exploit success rates. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious traffic targeting this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered defensive strategies including endpoint protection, network monitoring, and user education programs to reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation attempts.