CVE-2018-8353 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8355, CVE-2018-8359, CVE-2018-8371, CVE-2018-8372, CVE-2018-8373, CVE-2018-8385, CVE-2018-8389, CVE-2018-8390.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Internet Explorer's scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. The issue manifests when the engine improperly handles objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer including IE9, IE10, and IE11, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these browsers in enterprise environments. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that are commonly exploited in zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threat campaigns.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the scripting engine's object handling mechanisms. When Internet Explorer processes certain JavaScript objects or performs memory operations, the engine fails to properly validate or manage memory allocations, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125 vulnerability, which represents "Out-of-bounds Read" and is commonly associated with memory corruption issues in web browsers. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious web content that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, triggers the memory corruption condition and allows for code execution with the privileges of the current user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute malicious code remotely without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the T1059.007 technique category, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell," as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish command shell access. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors conducting targeted attacks against corporate networks, as it can serve as a primary exploitation vector for initial access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and browser hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates addressing this issue through their regular security bulletin process, and organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected Internet Explorer installations. Additionally, implementing browser security features such as Enhanced Protected Mode, SmartScreen filter, and disabling unnecessary browser features can significantly reduce exploitation success rates. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation technologies and migrating to more modern browser platforms that have better security track records and more frequent security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing comprehensive security hygiene practices to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that target core browser components.