CVE-2019-0640 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft Edge, aka 'Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0590, CVE-2019-0591, CVE-2019-0593, CVE-2019-0605, CVE-2019-0607, CVE-2019-0610, CVE-2019-0642, CVE-2019-0644, CVE-2019-0651, CVE-2019-0652, CVE-2019-0655.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0640 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine, specifically related to improper handling of objects in memory. This vulnerability affects the Chakra scripting engine that powers Microsoft Edge's JavaScript execution environment, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams and individual users alike. The flaw manifests when the engine processes certain objects in memory, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the browser context without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and phishing campaigns.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues, which are classified as CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This classification indicates that the vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking or improper memory management during object manipulation within the scripting engine. The flaw occurs when the Chakra engine fails to properly validate or manage memory references when handling specific JavaScript objects, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory access violations that can be leveraged for code execution. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Microsoft Edge, trigger the vulnerable code path and subsequently gain remote code execution capabilities on the target system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations that rely on Microsoft Edge as their primary browser for web-based applications and services. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls and directly compromise system integrity, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Edge including those shipped with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7, making it particularly widespread across enterprise environments. Security professionals should note that the vulnerability's exploitation does not require any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, which significantly increases the attack surface and makes it particularly effective in automated attack campaigns.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates as soon as they become available, which address the underlying memory corruption issue in the Chakra scripting engine. Network segmentation and web filtering solutions can provide additional layers of protection by blocking access to known malicious domains and implementing strict content filtering policies. Browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict Content Security Policies, and utilizing browser isolation technologies can further reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1203 for 'Exploitation for Client Execution', highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive strategies that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader attack patterns. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous JavaScript execution patterns and unusual network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should include immediate isolation of affected systems and thorough forensic analysis to determine if exploitation has occurred.