CVE-2018-8371 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-2018-8353, CVE-2018-8355, CVE-2018-8359, CVE-2018-8372, CVE-2018-8373, CVE-2018-8385, CVE-2018-8389, CVE-2018-8390.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-8371 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Internet Explorer's scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This flaw exists in how the engine manages objects in memory during script processing, specifically affecting Internet Explorer versions 9, 10, and 11. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The scripting engine's improper handling of memory objects creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted web content that triggers memory corruption within the scripting engine's memory management subsystem. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected Internet Explorer versions, cause the browser to allocate or access memory in unintended ways. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, redirect execution flow, or inject malicious code that executes with the same privileges as the compromised browser process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the memory level, making it difficult to detect through traditional network-based security measures and allowing attackers to bypass many standard security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8371 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems through the browser's execution context. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows adversaries to establish backdoors, download additional malware, steal sensitive data, or perform further reconnaissance activities. The affected Internet Explorer versions represent a significant attack surface since these browsers were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script-based execution through internet explorer, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation through memory corruption attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8371 primarily focus on immediate patching and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the memory corruption issue in the scripting engine, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected Internet Explorer installations. Additionally, implementing browser security controls such as disabling script execution in potentially risky contexts, enabling enhanced security features like Protected Mode, and deploying application whitelisting solutions can reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious web content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider migrating away from Internet Explorer to more modern browsers that have better security track records and more frequent security updates, particularly given that Internet Explorer 11 reached end-of-life in June 2022, leaving systems vulnerable to unpatched exploits like CVE-2018-8371.