CVE-2018-8227 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-2018-8229.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8227 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine responsible for executing web content. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely when a user visits a malicious website or opens a specially crafted file, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing scenarios where users interact with untrusted content. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the handling of objects in memory, where improper memory management allows for potential exploitation through crafted JavaScript code that manipulates object references and memory layouts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the Chakra engine's object handling mechanisms. When processing certain JavaScript objects, the engine fails to properly validate memory access patterns, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite memory locations or manipulate object layouts in ways that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention through carefully crafted memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8227 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to affected systems through browser-based attack vectors. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through social engineering campaigns that direct users to visit harmful pages. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge browsers but also ChakraCore, which is used in various Microsoft applications and services, potentially expanding the attack surface significantly. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Edge browsers are commonly used, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8227 primarily involve applying Microsoft's security patches and updates as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the Chakra engine. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual JavaScript execution patterns and memory access anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all affected systems have been properly patched and that no legacy systems remain vulnerable to this or related vulnerabilities.