CVE-2018-8355 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft browsers, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects ChakraCore, Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8353, 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 • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-8355 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft's scripting engine that affects multiple browser platforms including Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge. This issue stems from how the ChakraCore JavaScript engine manages object allocation and memory operations during script execution, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability specifically targets the engine's handling of objects in memory, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute malicious payloads. Such flaws are particularly dangerous in browser environments where users frequently interact with untrusted web content, making the attack surface expansive and potentially devastating for end users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when the scripting engine processes certain JavaScript objects in memory, particularly those involving complex object hierarchies or memory allocation patterns that can be manipulated through crafted malicious scripts. Attackers can exploit this by delivering malicious JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption during normal browser operation, potentially allowing them to execute code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of heap-based memory corruption issues where improper bounds checking or memory management leads to predictable memory layout manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments and individual users alike, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attack can be delivered through various vectors including compromised websites, malicious advertisements, or phishing emails containing malicious links. The affected browsers represent widely used platforms, with Internet Explorer 11 maintaining substantial market presence in enterprise environments and Microsoft Edge serving as the default browser for Windows 10 users. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established through the execution of malicious code. The potential for zero-day exploitation makes this particularly concerning for organizations that may not have immediate patch coverage for their browser installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8355 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory management issues in the ChakraCore engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly in relation to unusual memory access patterns or execution of suspicious JavaScript code. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1070.004 for file and directory permissions modification, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of exploitation techniques that may emerge from such memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for proper patch management of browser components to ensure complete protection against this and similar memory corruption issues.