CVE-2018-8511 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-2018-8503, CVE-2018-8505, CVE-2018-8510, CVE-2018-8513.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8511 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine that enables remote code execution. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Chakra engine processes certain objects in memory, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in the way the engine manages object references and memory allocation during script execution, particularly when handling complex object interactions and memory operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The Chakra engine's memory management system fails to properly validate object boundaries when processing JavaScript code, leading to situations where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption occurs during the execution of JavaScript code within Microsoft Edge's browser environment, where the engine's object model handling routines do not adequately protect against malicious input that could trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption states. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's scripting engine, allowing attackers to execute malicious code directly in the context of the user's session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is the primary browser or where ChakraCore is used in applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages that, when loaded in Edge, trigger the memory corruption condition. The remote code execution capability means that adversaries can install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems without requiring local user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge but also applications that utilize ChakraCore as their JavaScript engine, expanding the potential attack surface considerably. Security professionals must consider that exploitation can occur through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements that leverage the browser's scripting capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8511 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates, particularly the cumulative updates released in August 2018 that specifically address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as enabling Enhanced Protected Mode in Edge, disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, and implementing strict content security policies to limit the execution of potentially malicious scripts. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and URL filtering can help reduce the risk of exploitation by blocking access to known malicious domains. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing monitoring for anomalous memory usage patterns and unusual JavaScript execution behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a remote code execution technique through browser exploitation emphasizes the need for layered security approaches that combine endpoint protection, network monitoring, and user education to effectively defend against such sophisticated attacks.