CVE-2019-1001 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft browsers, aka 'Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2019-1004, CVE-2019-1056, CVE-2019-1059.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft's scripting engine that affects multiple browser implementations including Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. The issue stems from how the engine manages object references and memory allocation during script execution, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the way scripting engines process and manipulate objects in memory, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. According to CWE-125, this corresponds to an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to memory corruption, while ATT&CK technique T1059.007 describes the use of scripting languages for code execution. The flaw exists in the memory management subsystem of Microsoft's JavaScript engine, particularly affecting the V8 engine used in Edge and the Chakra engine used in Internet Explorer. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages that trigger specific memory operations, causing the scripting engine to corrupt memory structures and subsequently execute attacker-controlled code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction in many scenarios. The memory corruption occurs during normal script execution when the engine encounters malformed object references or improper memory handling during object lifecycle management. This allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and overwrite critical data structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft products including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and various server editions, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The exploitability factor is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and watering hole compromises.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment as Microsoft released security updates addressing the memory corruption issues in their scripting engines. Organizations should implement network segmentation and web filtering to limit exposure to potentially malicious content, while also monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The security community recommends enabling exploit protection features such as Address Space Layout Randomization and Data Execution Prevention to make exploitation more difficult. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary scripting features and configuring secure browsing policies. According to NIST guidelines for vulnerability management, organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability due to its remote code execution potential and the availability of vendor-provided fixes. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing detection measures for anomalous script execution patterns and memory access violations that could indicate exploitation attempts, while CWE guidance emphasizes proper memory management practices to prevent similar issues in future implementations.