CVE-2018-8262 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-2018-8125, CVE-2018-8274, CVE-2018-8275, CVE-2018-8279, CVE-2018-8301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8262 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Edge rendering engine fails to properly validate object references in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw resides in the browser's handling of certain JavaScript objects and memory management operations, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where adversaries can craft malicious web pages to exploit this weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a memory corruption pattern that aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by constructing malicious web content that triggers the browser's memory handling routines to access invalid memory locations or manipulate existing objects in ways that were not anticipated by the software design. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the browser's JavaScript engine does not properly validate input parameters or object references, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is the default browser or where users may encounter malicious web content through phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites. The remote execution capability means that adversaries do not require local system access to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain strict network segmentation or web filtering controls. The impact extends beyond individual user devices to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures when attackers gain initial access through this vector.
Security professionals should consider implementing multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as part of their regular security maintenance procedures. Organizations should also enhance their browser security configurations by disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious web requests. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat places it within the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for PowerShell and WMI usage, though the specific exploitation methods would require more sophisticated attack vectors involving browser-based memory corruption techniques. Network monitoring should focus on identifying unusual outbound connections or suspicious web traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for anomalous JavaScript execution or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability.