CVE-2018-0871 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Edge improperly marks files, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8234.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0871 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that stems from improper file marking mechanisms. This issue allows attackers to potentially access sensitive data that should remain protected due to the browser's inadequate handling of file metadata and access controls. The vulnerability specifically impacts Microsoft Edge versions prior to the patch release that addressed this flaw, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the improper file marking behavior.
The technical root cause of this information disclosure vulnerability lies in Edge's file handling and access control implementation where the browser fails to properly enforce security boundaries when processing certain file types. When Edge encounters files that require specific marking or access restrictions, the browser's security mechanisms do not adequately validate or enforce the appropriate security labels, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information. This flaw operates at the intersection of file system security and web browser security, where the browser's interpretation of file access requirements becomes inconsistent with established security principles. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the browser's security model to properly manage file access contexts and maintain proper isolation between different security domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised systems. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access files that contain sensitive user data, system information, or application-specific data that should remain protected. The vulnerability affects the browser's ability to maintain proper security boundaries, potentially allowing unauthorized access to resources that should be restricted. This creates risk for users who browse the web with affected Edge versions, as any malicious website or file could exploit this weakness to extract confidential information from the system. The flaw particularly impacts enterprise environments where Edge is widely deployed and users may encounter various file types that trigger the improper marking behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0871 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Microsoft Edge installations to address the underlying file marking implementation issues. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper file access controls at the system level to minimize the impact of any successful attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and restricting Edge's file handling capabilities where possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through improper file handling. Regular security assessments should verify that the patched version properly enforces file access controls and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the browser's security implementation. Organizations should also monitor for related vulnerabilities that might exploit similar file handling mechanisms and maintain updated threat intelligence on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw.