CVE-2018-8447 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer improperly accesses objects in memory, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8461.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer that enables remote code execution through improper object handling in memory. The issue affects Internet Explorer versions 9, 10, and 11, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these older browser versions in enterprise environments. The vulnerability stems from how Internet Explorer manages memory objects during web page rendering and script execution processes, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory access patterns that should remain protected.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper memory management when Internet Explorer processes certain web content, particularly involving object references and memory allocation. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions, allowing them to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the logged-in user. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, "Out-of-bounds Write," depending on the specific memory access pattern exploited. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper memory handling can create persistent attack vectors that remain relevant even in modern security landscapes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations maintaining legacy Internet Explorer installations, particularly those that have not migrated to supported browser versions. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. Security teams must consider that many organizations continue to use these older browser versions due to legacy application compatibility requirements, creating extended attack surfaces that require careful monitoring and mitigation planning. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures through lateral movement and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, particularly targeting the specific memory handling routines that expose the vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious content targeting these specific memory corruption patterns. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining up-to-date security configurations provide additional protective layers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," and demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security practices to prevent exploitation of known memory corruption vulnerabilities. Long-term security posture improvements should include comprehensive browser migration planning to eliminate support for deprecated browser versions and implement robust vulnerability management processes that address similar memory handling issues across all supported platforms.