CVE-2018-8624 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-2018-8583, CVE-2018-8617, CVE-2018-8618, CVE-2018-8629.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8624 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine, which serves as the JavaScript engine responsible for executing web content. This particular vulnerability arises from improper handling of objects in memory during script execution, creating a pathway for remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Chakra engine is fundamental to Microsoft Edge's operation and is also utilized in ChakraCore, making this vulnerability impactful across multiple Microsoft platforms. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Microsoft Edge that incorporate the Chakra scripting engine, while also extending to systems using ChakraCore as a standalone JavaScript engine. Security researchers have identified this issue as distinct from several related vulnerabilities including CVE-2018-8583, CVE-2018-8617, CVE-2018-8618, and CVE-2018-8629, each representing unique memory handling flaws within the same engine architecture. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125, "Out-of-bounds Read," indicates that malicious code can trigger memory access violations that lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," where attackers leverage JavaScript vulnerabilities to establish remote execution capabilities.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-8624 occurs when a malicious website or web-based payload triggers improper memory management within the Chakra engine. Attackers can craft specific JavaScript code that, when executed in Microsoft Edge, causes the engine to improperly handle object references in memory, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can result in the execution of attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the Edge process, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability typically manifests through a heap-based memory corruption scenario where the Chakra engine fails to properly validate object boundaries during memory allocation and deallocation operations. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can leverage the memory corruption to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious code. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects not only Microsoft Edge but also any application that utilizes ChakraCore, including various Microsoft products and third-party applications that have integrated this JavaScript engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-8624 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can be weaponized in advanced persistent threat campaigns. Organizations running affected versions of Microsoft Edge or applications utilizing ChakraCore face significant risk of compromise, particularly when users navigate to malicious websites or open compromised email attachments containing malicious JavaScript. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors. Security teams must consider the potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement following successful exploitation, as the compromised Edge process may have elevated permissions depending on the target system configuration. The vulnerability's presence in both Microsoft Edge and ChakraCore creates a widespread attack surface that requires comprehensive remediation efforts across multiple software components. Organizations should also consider the potential for this vulnerability to be combined with other exploits in chained attacks, where CVE-2018-8624 serves as a foundational foothold for more extensive compromise operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8624 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates, as the vulnerability requires specific code-level fixes within the Chakra engine. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability in their regular security bulletin updates, and organizations should ensure all affected systems receive these patches promptly. Until patches are deployed, network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help reduce the risk of exploitation by blocking known malicious JavaScript patterns. Browser hardening measures including disabling JavaScript execution for untrusted sites and implementing strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous JavaScript execution patterns and memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations utilizing ChakraCore should also verify their integration and ensure proper patching of any embedded ChakraCore components. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue emphasizes the importance of memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, which can make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability remains unpatched. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for affected versions of Microsoft Edge and ChakraCore to ensure comprehensive protection coverage across all system components.