CVE-2018-0932 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 • 02/21/2023
This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge browsers across various Windows operating systems including Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and R2, and Windows 10 versions from Gold through 1709. The flaw stems from improper handling of objects in memory by browser components, creating potential information disclosure risks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for "Data from Local System" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" which could be leveraged for information gathering. The root cause involves how browsers manage memory objects during processing, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Microsoft browsers process certain web content and fail to properly clear or secure memory objects that contain sensitive data. This memory handling flaw can result in information leakage through various mechanisms including cached data, temporary memory segments, or object references that persist beyond their intended use. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or content that triggers the vulnerable memory handling routines, potentially exposing user data, session information, or system details that should remain confidential. The vulnerability represents a classic information disclosure weakness where proper memory management practices are not followed, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0932 extends beyond simple information leakage to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the primary risk involves unauthorized access to sensitive data, this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for attackers to gather intelligence about targeted systems or users. The exposure of memory contents could reveal session tokens, user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation. This information disclosure could facilitate credential theft, session hijacking, or targeted attacks against specific users or systems. The vulnerability affects widely deployed browser components making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may be exposed simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Microsoft released security updates through regular patches that address the memory handling issues in affected browser versions. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches immediately across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. Browser hardening measures including enabling security features like Data Execution Prevention, disabling unnecessary browser components, and implementing strict content security policies can reduce the attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint detection and response tools can help identify potential compromise indicators related to memory access anomalies. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and awareness of phishing attempts remains crucial in preventing exploitation of this vulnerability through social engineering vectors.