CVE-2018-0927 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, and Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer in Windows 10 Gold, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server, version 1709 allows information disclosure, due to how Microsoft browsers handle objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0927 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers across various Windows operating systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of objects within memory by the browser's rendering engine, specifically impacting how temporary memory structures are managed during web page processing. The flaw exists in the way these browsers allocate, access, and release memory objects, creating potential pathways for sensitive data exposure. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through Output Error Messages," though the actual mechanism involves memory management vulnerabilities that can lead to information leakage through memory corruption patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the browser processes certain web content that triggers memory management errors in the browser's JavaScript engine or rendering components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, cause the system to expose memory contents that should remain protected, including potentially sensitive data from other processes or memory segments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects not just a single browser version but spans multiple Windows platforms, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. This cross-platform impact is consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as attackers can leverage the information disclosure to gain further system insights for subsequent exploitation phases. The memory handling flaw typically manifests when the browser encounters specific JavaScript or HTML constructs that trigger improper memory cleanup operations, leading to memory leaks or exposure of previously allocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0927 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application data from other processes running on the same system. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users access untrusted websites or where phishing attacks are prevalent, as the exploitation requires only a user to visit a malicious webpage. Organizations running affected browser versions face significant risk of data breaches, especially in sectors handling sensitive information like financial services, healthcare, or government agencies. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers gain insights into system memory that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. According to industry security frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's 'Protect' function, specifically addressing the 'Identity Management and Access Control' and 'Data Security' categories, as it enables unauthorized access to system information through memory-based disclosure techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0927 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, which address the underlying memory management flaws in the affected browsers. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter potentially malicious content. The implementation of security measures such as address space layout randomization (ASLR) and data execution prevention (DEP) can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts. Microsoft's security advisory recommends immediate deployment of the relevant security updates, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as network segmentation, user access controls, and regular security assessments to reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response plans that include memory forensics capabilities to investigate potential exploitation attempts and understand the scope of information disclosure that may have occurred.