CVE-2018-8555 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-2018-8541, CVE-2018-8542, CVE-2018-8543, CVE-2018-8551, CVE-2018-8556, CVE-2018-8557, CVE-2018-8588.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
The CVE-2018-8555 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine powering the browser's execution environment. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Chakra engine processes certain object manipulations in memory, creating conditions that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. The issue stems from improper handling of memory management operations during JavaScript object lifecycle operations, particularly when objects undergo rapid creation, modification, and destruction within the browser's execution context. The vulnerability affects not only Microsoft Edge but also ChakraCore, Microsoft's open-source JavaScript engine that powers various applications including Node.js and Universal Windows Platform applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption techniques that leverage the Chakra engine's object management mechanisms. When JavaScript objects are manipulated in specific ways, particularly through complex object interactions and memory allocation patterns, the engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries during object operations. This leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted browser process. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow' and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving execution through web browsers and memory corruption attacks. Attackers typically craft malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path when loaded in Edge, exploiting the memory management flaw to gain remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8555 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a significant threat vector for enterprise environments where Microsoft Edge is widely deployed. Organizations using Edge as their primary browser for web applications, internal portals, or employee productivity tools face substantial risk from this vulnerability. The remote execution capability means attackers can compromise systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through drive-by downloads, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. The attack surface is broad since ChakraCore is used across multiple Microsoft products and third-party applications, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8555 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed through Microsoft Edge updates in August 2018. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, employing content security policies, and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through network filtering solutions. Network-based protections can include web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerable patterns. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and mandatory access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of continuous security monitoring and rapid patch management processes, as it represents a classic example of how memory corruption flaws in scripting engines can provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing extended detection and response capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts in their environments, given the stealthy nature of memory corruption attacks.