CVE-2019-0592 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 CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0611.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0592 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's Chakra scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Chakra engine processes objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The Chakra engine serves as the JavaScript engine that powers Microsoft Edge's web browser functionality, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects one of the most widely used web browsers globally. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which occurs when the engine attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated bounds of objects in memory. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls within the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been primary attack vectors for sophisticated cyber threats.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0592 extends far beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a significant escalation in attack surface for threat actors targeting enterprise environments. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack typically occurs through malicious web content delivered via phishing emails, compromised websites, or drive-by download scenarios where users inadvertently visit malicious sites. The vulnerability's exploitation mechanism leverages the Chakra engine's handling of JavaScript objects, particularly when dealing with complex memory management operations such as object allocation, deallocation, and memory reuse patterns. Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability can be triggered through carefully crafted JavaScript code that manipulates object properties and memory references in ways that cause the engine to corrupt memory structures, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution.
From a threat modeling perspective, CVE-2019-0592 aligns with several tactics, techniques, and procedures outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the initial access and execution phases. The vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations using Microsoft Edge are at significant risk as this vulnerability affects all supported versions of the browser, including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and various server editions. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates a perfect storm for attackers as it allows for precise memory manipulation and can potentially bypass modern exploit mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. Security professionals have noted that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how complex JavaScript engines can introduce security risks when dealing with memory management and object lifecycle operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft's security patches as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory corruption issue in the Chakra engine. Browser hardening measures such as enabling enhanced protection modes, disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, and implementing content security policies can provide additional defense layers. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious JavaScript patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of successful phishing attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive monitoring of network traffic for indicators of compromise related to malicious JavaScript execution. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of Microsoft Edge and ensure all security updates are applied promptly. Additionally, implementing sandboxing technologies and browser isolation solutions can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to avoid potential compatibility issues with existing web applications.