CVE-2018-0990 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Chakra scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft Edge, aka "Chakra Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge, ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0979, CVE-2018-0980, CVE-2018-0993, CVE-2018-0994, CVE-2018-0995, CVE-2018-1019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0990 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine powering the browser's web content execution. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Chakra engine processes objects in memory, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code remotely. The flaw affects not only Microsoft Edge but also ChakraCore, the standalone JavaScript engine used in various Microsoft applications and platforms, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Chakra engine's object handling mechanisms, which falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read conditions. When the engine processes certain JavaScript objects in memory, it fails to properly validate object boundaries or memory allocation limits, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious JavaScript code that triggers memory corruption. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the compromised browser process, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security boundaries, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of JavaScript payloads that can manipulate memory layout to achieve code execution, making it a sophisticated attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0990 extends beyond individual user devices to affect enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is widely deployed. Organizations using Edge for internal applications or web-based services face significant risk, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability to compromise user sessions, access sensitive data, or establish command and control channels. The vulnerability's presence in ChakraCore also means that applications relying on this JavaScript engine for server-side or desktop applications could be similarly affected, creating cascading security implications across Microsoft's ecosystem. Security teams must consider the vulnerability's potential for zero-day exploitation, as the memory corruption nature makes it difficult to detect through traditional signature-based methods, requiring behavioral analysis and advanced threat hunting approaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0990 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in Microsoft's February 2018 security bulletin. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to block malicious JavaScript payloads, while also deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous memory access patterns. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques can reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly unusual memory allocation patterns or code execution attempts within browser processes, and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of the Chakra engine's memory handling to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure proper mitigation implementation.