CVE-2019-0652 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-2019-0640, CVE-2019-0642, CVE-2019-0644, CVE-2019-0651, CVE-2019-0655.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-0652 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the manner in which the engine manages object handling in memory, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory management functions and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue resides in the JavaScript engine component of Microsoft Edge, which processes and executes JavaScript code within web pages, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user systems through web-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during object manipulation within the scripting engine. When Microsoft Edge processes certain JavaScript constructs, particularly those involving object creation and memory allocation, the engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries and object references. This memory corruption can occur when the scripting engine encounters malformed or malicious JavaScript code that triggers unexpected behavior in the memory management subsystem. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory locations and potentially overwrite critical execution pointers or inject malicious code into the process memory space, effectively bypassing standard security protections.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations and individual users who rely on Microsoft Edge for web browsing activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through drive-by downloads, malicious websites, or spear-phishing campaigns that deliver specially crafted JavaScript payloads designed to trigger the memory corruption. Once exploited, the vulnerability provides attackers with full code execution privileges within the context of the Edge browser process, potentially allowing them to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on compromised systems. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can occur without any local interaction from the user, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
The impact of CVE-2019-0652 aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. These weaknesses in memory management directly translate to the ability of attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute arbitrary code. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the initial browser compromise to gain deeper system access. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, browser hardening measures, and regular patch management as primary defensive strategies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates, which address the memory corruption issues within the scripting engine. Browser hardening configurations should be implemented to restrict JavaScript functionality and limit potential attack surface areas. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious JavaScript payloads before they reach users. Additionally, security awareness training for users to recognize suspicious web content and avoid visiting untrusted websites can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual JavaScript execution patterns and memory access anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts.