CVE-2018-8380 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Chakra scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft Edge, aka "Chakra Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge, ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8266, CVE-2018-8381, CVE-2018-8384.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-8380 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine powering the browser's execution environment. This flaw specifically manifests when the engine processes objects in memory, creating conditions that allow malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code remotely. The Chakra engine is responsible for interpreting and executing JavaScript code within the browser, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it directly impacts the core functionality that enables web applications to run. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge but also ChakraCore, which is Microsoft's open-source implementation of the Chakra engine used in various applications beyond the browser environment.
The technical nature of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references and memory allocation within the Chakra engine's runtime environment. When processing certain JavaScript objects, the engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries or object lifetimes, leading to situations where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read category, where the engine reads memory beyond allocated boundaries, and potentially CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write conditions where malicious data can be written to memory locations that should remain protected. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that an attacker can craft malicious web content that, when loaded in a victim's browser, triggers the memory corruption and subsequently executes malicious code with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8380 extends beyond simple browser exploitation as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve full system compromise through browser-based attack vectors. Since Microsoft Edge was widely used across enterprise environments, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, establish persistent backdoors, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's presence in both Edge and ChakraCore means that exploitation is not limited to web browsing but could also affect applications that utilize the Chakra engine for scripting capabilities. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers leverage JavaScript engines to execute malicious code remotely. The remote code execution capability makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors as it requires no local system access and can be exploited through standard web browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8380 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the August 2018 security bulletin. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to known malicious domains that might exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections, unexpected process executions, and anomalous JavaScript behavior. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify other potential vulnerabilities in systems that might be leveraged in conjunction with this memory corruption flaw.