CVE-2018-8403 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8403 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that impacts multiple Microsoft browser implementations including Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10, and Microsoft Edge. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references within browser memory management systems, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code remotely. The flaw specifically manifests when browsers process certain memory operations that fail to properly validate object states or memory boundaries, leading to potential exploitation through crafted web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic memory corruption pattern where browser components fail to properly validate memory access operations during object manipulation. When Microsoft browsers encounter specific memory patterns or object references that trigger undefined behavior, the memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations or execute malicious code within the browser process context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The root cause lies in insufficient bounds checking and memory validation mechanisms within the browser's JavaScript engine and memory management subsystems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it enables remote code execution without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by hosting malicious web content that triggers the memory corruption when browsers process the content, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface extends across multiple browser versions and operating systems, with Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer 10 being particularly vulnerable due to their legacy code bases and reduced security updates. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8403 require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as well as implementing additional defensive measures including browser hardening, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and restricting access to potentially malicious web content through content filtering solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and highlights the risks associated with legacy browser support in enterprise environments. Security teams should prioritize monitoring for exploitation attempts and implement robust incident response procedures to address potential compromises resulting from this memory corruption vulnerability.