CVE-2018-8456 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the ChakraCore scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge, ChakraCore. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8354, CVE-2018-8391, CVE-2018-8457, CVE-2018-8459.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8456 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine that serves as the foundation for Microsoft Edge's rendering capabilities. This flaw exists in how the engine manages object references and memory allocation during script execution, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the scripting engine's object management routines, where improper memory handling can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches. The issue affects not only Microsoft Edge but also any application or system that utilizes ChakraCore as its JavaScript engine implementation, making it particularly concerning given the engine's widespread adoption across various Microsoft products and third-party applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted JavaScript code that triggers memory corruption during object manipulation within the ChakraCore engine. When the engine processes certain object operations, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries or object references, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 CWE category, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation in ChakraCore involves heap memory corruption rather than traditional stack-based issues. The attack vector typically requires a user to visit a malicious website or execute malicious JavaScript within an application that uses ChakraCore, making it particularly dangerous in web browser environments where users frequently encounter untrusted content.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8456 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to gain elevated privileges on compromised systems, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent access. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it in the privilege escalation and execution domains, where attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious payloads with system-level privileges. Organizations running Microsoft Edge or applications utilizing ChakraCore are particularly vulnerable, as the flaw exists in the core engine that processes all JavaScript content, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploits that can be weaponized across multiple attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8456 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability requires a core engine fix to resolve the memory handling issues. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes and ensure all affected Microsoft Edge installations and ChakraCore-dependent applications receive security updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, enabling sandboxing mechanisms, and configuring browser security settings to limit JavaScript execution capabilities. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help reduce exposure by blocking known malicious JavaScript patterns, though these measures are not foolproof against sophisticated attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous JavaScript behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's memory corruption characteristics can sometimes be detected through behavioral analysis rather than signature-based detection methods.