CVE-2019-0769 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-2019-0609, CVE-2019-0639, CVE-2019-0680, CVE-2019-0770, CVE-2019-0771, CVE-2019-0773, CVE-2019-0783.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue within Microsoft Edge's scripting engine that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. The flaw manifests when the engine improperly handles object references in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the Chakra scripting engine used in Microsoft Edge browsers, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of this browser. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web content that triggers the vulnerable code path when the browser processes JavaScript or other scripting elements. The memory corruption occurs during object lifecycle management, where improper memory deallocation or access patterns allow for controlled overwrite of critical memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by attacks. The exploitation chain typically involves creating a crafted webpage that loads malicious JavaScript code, which when executed in the browser triggers the memory corruption vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, persistence mechanisms, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Edge and Windows operating systems, with the attack surface expanding to include any system running the vulnerable browser component. Security researchers have identified that the flaw exists in how the scripting engine manages memory allocation and deallocation for JavaScript objects, particularly when handling complex object hierarchies. The memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program structures, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow. This vulnerability also intersects with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter execution, T1071 for application layer protocol usage, and T1566 for social engineering attacks. The exploitation process often involves creating a malicious payload that can bypass modern security mitigations such as ASLR, DEP, and stack canaries, making the attack more sophisticated and effective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with Microsoft releasing security updates to address the memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include disabling unnecessary scripting features and implementing strict content filtering measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and following security best practices such as using sandboxed browsing environments and implementing network segmentation. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections or file modifications that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict browser hardening configurations, and utilizing exploit protection software that can detect and block known exploitation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of securing complex software components like scripting engines, where memory safety issues can have severe consequences for system security. Organizations should also consider implementing threat hunting activities focused on identifying potential exploitation attempts and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address browser-based exploits. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser security configurations to ensure proper protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.