CVE-2019-1081 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability exists when affected Microsoft browsers improperly handle objects in memory, aka 'Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2020
The CVE-2019-1081 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Microsoft browsers that stems from improper memory object handling within the browser's execution environment. This vulnerability specifically impacts Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers, creating a scenario where malicious actors can potentially extract sensitive information from memory structures that should remain protected. The flaw manifests when browsers fail to properly validate or sanitize memory objects during processing, leading to unintended data exposure that could compromise user privacy and system security.
This vulnerability operates at the core memory management level of affected browsers, where objects allocated in memory are not adequately secured against unauthorized access attempts. The technical implementation involves the browser's rendering engine failing to enforce proper memory isolation boundaries when handling various object types, particularly those related to JavaScript objects, DOM elements, or other memory-resident data structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific web content that triggers the improper memory handling behavior, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1081 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks that could lead to complete system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to extract memory contents that may contain session tokens, personal identification information, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of how memory management flaws can create security risks that persist across multiple attack vectors. Organizations using affected browsers face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where sensitive data processing occurs within browser contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1081 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates from Microsoft, which address the underlying memory handling implementation issues. Security administrators should prioritize applying the relevant security updates and patches as soon as they become available through Microsoft's security bulletin system. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser hardening configurations, enabling security features such as Address Space Layout Randomization, and deploying network monitoring tools to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter,' as attackers may use information disclosure to gather intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to reduce exposure to malicious content that could trigger this vulnerability during normal browsing operations.