CVE-2018-8279 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, ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8125, CVE-2018-8262, CVE-2018-8274, CVE-2018-8275, CVE-2018-8301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8279 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's ChakraCore JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution environment for JavaScript code in the browser. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references in memory, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when Edge processes certain JavaScript constructs that lead to memory corruption, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially gain full control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Edge versions up to and including EdgeHTML 17.17134 and ChakraCore implementations, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the fundamental execution engine of the browser.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These classifications indicate that the flaw involves improper bounds checking during memory operations, where the JavaScript engine fails to properly validate object access patterns. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages containing specially crafted JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption when executed by Edge's ChakraCore engine. The vulnerability typically requires a user to visit a malicious website or open a specially crafted email attachment containing web content that leverages the exploit. The memory corruption occurs during JavaScript object handling, specifically when the engine attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated bounds for objects in memory.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise and individual users alike, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploit can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements, making it particularly insidious in real-world scenarios. Organizations running Microsoft Edge as their primary browser face significant risk, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise environments where Edge is used for business-critical applications, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors and escalate privileges. The exploit's effectiveness is further amplified by the fact that it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making detection and prevention challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8279 should prioritize immediate patch application through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vendor released patches specifically addressing this memory corruption flaw. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block malicious content delivery. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can provide additional defense layers. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous memory access patterns or exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for users to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious web content remains crucial, while maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a remote code execution technique highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts effectively.