CVE-2018-8545 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Edge handles cross-origin requests, aka "Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The CVE-2018-8545 vulnerability represents a significant information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Edge browser that exploits improper handling of cross-origin requests. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) misconfigurations that can lead to unauthorized data exposure. The flaw specifically manifests when Edge processes requests between different origins, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to access sensitive information that should remain isolated between domains. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web environments where multiple domains interact and share resources, as it can expose confidential data through indirect means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Edge's insufficient validation mechanisms when processing cross-origin requests. When a browser makes a request to a resource hosted on a different origin, proper CORS policies should enforce strict access controls and data isolation. However, in this case, Edge fails to adequately validate the cross-origin nature of requests, potentially allowing information from one origin to leak into another. The flaw enables attackers to construct malicious web pages that can exploit this weakness to gather sensitive data from other domains or applications that share the same browser instance. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper access control can lead to data leakage.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8545 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS) exploitation or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information that should remain protected between different web origins. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may access multiple applications through the same Edge browser instance, creating potential attack vectors for lateral movement within networks. This weakness can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, phishing campaigns, or compromised web applications that target the specific browser behavior to extract confidential data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8545 primarily involve applying Microsoft's security updates and patches that address the specific cross-origin request handling flaw in Edge browser versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include disabling unnecessary cross-origin capabilities and enforcing strict CORS policies on web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper browser sandboxing and origin isolation mechanisms that prevent unauthorized data access between different domains. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring tools that can detect anomalous cross-origin request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security assessments and adherence to security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios.