CVE-2018-1019 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-2018-0995.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1019 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets how the Chakra engine manages object memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue manifests when the engine processes certain JavaScript objects, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption techniques that leverage improper handling of object references within the Chakra engine's memory management system. When Edge processes malicious JavaScript code containing crafted objects, the engine's memory management routines fail to properly validate or sanitize object operations, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This flaw falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, both of which are common vectors for memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the scripting engine level, allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls that operate at higher application layers.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1019 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge browsers but also ChakraCore, indicating the breadth of potential impact across Microsoft's JavaScript engine ecosystem. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Edge is commonly used for web browsing and for organizations that rely on ChakraCore for server-side applications. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime candidate for drive-by attack scenarios that align with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Microsoft has released patches for this vulnerability through regular security updates, and organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches to protect their systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser hardening configurations that restrict JavaScript execution capabilities, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual JavaScript behavior patterns. Network segmentation and user access controls should be implemented to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious web content that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and workflows.