CVE-2019-0862 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer, aka 'Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-0739, CVE-2019-0752, CVE-2019-0753.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-0862 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Internet Explorer's scripting engine that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the manner in which the scripting engine manages objects in memory, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in the JavaScript scripting engine component of Internet Explorer, which is responsible for interpreting and executing script code within web browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the scripting engine's object handling routines. When Internet Explorer processes certain script objects in memory, the engine fails to properly validate or manage memory pointers, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and redirect execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core scripting engine level, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using Internet Explorer, especially in environments where users may encounter malicious web content or be targeted through spearphishing campaigns. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, trigger the memory corruption condition and execute malicious payloads. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can gain complete control over affected systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for large-scale attacks and advanced persistent threat campaigns.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and lateral movement within organizations. Once an attacker gains code execution through this vulnerability, they can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and move laterally across networks. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, indicates that the memory corruption occurs in ways that can be exploited to overwrite stack memory locations. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers may use compromised systems to maintain access and execute additional malicious code.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Internet Explorer's scripting engine when not required, implementing strict web content filtering, and ensuring all systems have the latest security patches applied. The vulnerability requires patching through Microsoft's security updates, and administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant security fixes. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious web traffic can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education about avoiding suspicious websites and email attachments remains critical for defense-in-depth strategies.