CVE-2018-0945 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft Edge, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge, ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0946, CVE-2018-0951, CVE-2018-0953, CVE-2018-0954, CVE-2018-0955, CVE-2018-1022, CVE-2018-8114, CVE-2018-8122, CVE-2018-8128, CVE-2018-8137, CVE-2018-8139.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2023
The scripting engine memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Edge represents a critical remote code execution flaw that resides within the ChakraCore JavaScript engine responsible for processing web content. This vulnerability specifically targets how the engine manages object references in memory, creating potential pathways for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw manifests when Edge processes certain JavaScript objects that trigger improper memory handling during object lifecycle management, particularly affecting the garbage collection and memory allocation mechanisms that govern how JavaScript objects are stored and retrieved in memory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages memory corruption patterns that occur during JavaScript object manipulation, allowing attackers to craft malicious web pages that can trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within the ChakraCore engine. When Edge encounters specially crafted JavaScript code that manipulates objects in ways that violate memory boundaries, the engine's memory management system fails to properly validate object references, leading to potential code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic memory corruption exploit that has been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and attack frameworks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0945 extends far beyond simple browser compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to systems through browser-based attack vectors. Once successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Edge browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge but also applications that utilize ChakraCore as their JavaScript engine, including various Microsoft products and third-party applications that integrate the engine for scripting capabilities. This broad impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Edge-based applications are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Microsoft Edge installations and ChakraCore implementations, as Microsoft released security updates to address the memory corruption issues in their JavaScript engine. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious JavaScript payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Security teams must also consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, restricting access to potentially malicious websites, and monitoring for anomalous browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services, making it a significant concern for organizations following enterprise security standards and threat hunting protocols.