CVE-2018-0995 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-2018-0990, CVE-2018-0993, CVE-2018-0994, CVE-2018-1019.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0995 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Chakra engine processes objects in memory, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized system control. The issue affects not only Microsoft Edge browser but also ChakraCore, which is Microsoft's open-source JavaScript engine used in various applications and platforms. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the purview of common software security weaknesses that can lead to arbitrary code execution when attacker-controlled data is processed through vulnerable memory operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through sophisticated manipulation of JavaScript objects within the Chakra engine's memory management system. When the engine encounters certain object handling scenarios, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries or object references, creating opportunities for heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or JavaScript code that, when executed in Microsoft Edge, triggers the vulnerable code path and allows for arbitrary memory manipulation. This type of vulnerability typically involves complex exploitation techniques that leverage the engine's object model and memory layout to achieve code execution, often requiring multiple stages to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0995 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover through remote code execution capabilities. This vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, or further lateral movement within network environments. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Microsoft Edge is widely used across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise large numbers of systems. The vulnerability's relationship to other related CVEs including CVE-2018-0979 through CVE-2018-1019 demonstrates a pattern of memory corruption issues within the Chakra engine, suggesting systemic weaknesses in the JavaScript engine's memory management and object handling implementations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft's security updates and patches as released through the Microsoft Security Response Center. Browser hardening measures such as enabling sandboxing features, restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive contexts, and implementing content security policies can help reduce exploitation success rates. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for known exploit patterns targeting Chakra engine vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing browser isolation solutions and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering or drive-by download attacks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125 and CWE-787 categories related to out-of-bounds read and write conditions, while exploitation techniques may map to ATT&CK tactics including execution and privilege escalation phases. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the Chakra engine and related JavaScript environments.