CVE-2018-0996 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-0988, CVE-2018-1001.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0996 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Internet Explorer's scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This flaw specifically manifests when the scripting engine processes objects in memory, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer including IE9, IE10, and IE11, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of these browser versions in enterprise environments and user networks. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the scripting engine's memory management processes, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to target systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption techniques that exploit how Internet Explorer's scripting engine manages object references and memory allocation. When processing certain script constructs, the engine fails to properly validate object boundaries and memory access patterns, leading to buffer overflows or memory corruption that can be manipulated to redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The exploitation process often involves crafting malicious web content that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, triggers the memory corruption condition and subsequently executes attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the user running the browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0996 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and enables further exploitation activities within network environments. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows threat actors to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally across networks. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers typically leverage web-based attack vectors to deliver malicious payloads. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential full network infiltration, particularly in environments where legacy browser support is maintained.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0996 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Microsoft released security updates that patch the memory corruption vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected systems. Additionally, implementing browser isolation techniques, network segmentation, and enhanced web filtering controls can provide defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary scripting features, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and demonstrates how legacy browser support can create persistent attack vectors that require continuous monitoring and remediation efforts. Organizations should also implement automated vulnerability scanning processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their entire IT infrastructure.