CVE-2018-8243 in ChakraCore
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the ChakraCore scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8267.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8243 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft ChakraCore, the high-performance JavaScript engine that powers various Microsoft products including Edge browser and Node.js applications. This flaw resides in the engine's handling of objects in memory, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the scripting engine's memory management mechanisms, where improper object handling leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and memory management within ChakraCore's object handling routines. When the engine processes certain JavaScript objects, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries and object references, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability in the heap management portion of the engine. The vulnerability can be triggered through malicious JavaScript code delivered via web pages or other attack vectors that cause the ChakraCore engine to process malformed objects, ultimately leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Microsoft technologies that utilize ChakraCore. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Edge browser usage or Node.js applications are prevalent. The impact extends beyond individual systems to potentially affect entire network infrastructures, especially when considering that ChakraCore is used in Microsoft's Edge browser, which could be targeted through malicious web content. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript, where adversaries leverage scripting languages to execute malicious code remotely.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8243 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through regular security bulletins. Organizations should implement network segmentation and web application firewalls to limit exposure to potentially malicious JavaScript content, while also monitoring for suspicious script execution patterns. Security teams should consider deploying browser isolation technologies and implementing strict content security policies to prevent execution of untrusted JavaScript code. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that all instances of ChakraCore are properly updated and that no legacy systems remain vulnerable to this memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping scripting engines updated and demonstrates how memory management flaws in high-performance engines can create significant security risks.