CVE-2019-0833 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge improperly handles objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Edge Information Disclosure Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0833 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Edge browser that stems from improper memory object handling. This vulnerability resides in the browser's rendering engine and affects the way Edge processes and manages memory objects during normal web page execution. The flaw allows malicious actors to potentially extract sensitive information from memory locations that should remain protected, creating a significant security risk for users who interact with compromised web content.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel-level memory management interface where Edge's JavaScript engine and rendering components interact with system memory. The improper handling occurs when the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize memory references during object manipulation, leading to potential information leakage through memory corruption or unauthorized access patterns. The issue is particularly concerning as it affects the core browser functionality and can be exploited through crafted web content that triggers the vulnerable memory handling routines.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0833 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract memory addresses, stack contents, or other sensitive data that could aid in bypassing security mitigations such as address space layout randomization. This type of information leakage can significantly reduce the effectiveness of modern exploit mitigations and create pathways for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Edge and Windows operating systems, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments and individual users.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through web-based attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures where memory management flaws can create cascading effects that compromise entire system security models. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. The remediation strategy should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems while maintaining awareness of potential exploitation attempts that may leverage this vulnerability for more advanced persistent threats.
Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that improve memory validation routines and strengthen the browser's object handling mechanisms. The fix includes enhanced bounds checking and memory access controls that prevent unauthorized data extraction from memory segments. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all Edge installations are updated to versions containing the necessary security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust memory management in browser security and the potential consequences when such protections fail during web content processing operations.