CVE-2018-8110 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge improperly accesses objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Edge Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8111, CVE-2018-8236.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8110 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the browser's rendering engine fails to properly validate object references in memory, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory management flaws. The issue resides in the way Edge handles certain memory operations during web page rendering, particularly when processing complex web content that triggers improper object access patterns. According to Microsoft security advisories, this flaw affects all supported versions of Microsoft Edge and presents a significant risk to enterprise and individual users who browse the internet regularly.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a memory corruption attack that leverages improper object handling within Edge's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Edge, cause the browser to access invalid memory locations or manipulate object references in ways that lead to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, indicating out-of-bounds write operations. The memory corruption enables attackers to overwrite critical memory segments, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Edge process. The attack vector requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website or receiving a specially crafted email with embedded web content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations relying on Microsoft Edge as their primary browser. The remote code execution capability means attackers can gain full control of affected systems without requiring local access or user credentials. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user devices to enterprise networks where Edge is widely deployed, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during its initial disclosure period, making it particularly dangerous for organizations without immediate patch deployment capabilities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the T1059.007 technique category, representing application layer execution through browser-based attacks, and could potentially map to T1068 for local privilege escalation if successful exploitation occurs.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft's security patches as soon as they become available, configuring browser security settings to restrict potentially malicious content, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls. Additionally, security teams should consider deploying browser isolation solutions that prevent direct browser access to potentially malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing layered security approaches that reduce the attack surface for such memory corruption exploits. Regular security assessments and monitoring for suspicious network activity should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its classification as a remote code execution flaw, organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts and consider implementing temporary workarounds such as disabling JavaScript or restricting access to untrusted websites until permanent patches are deployed.