CVE-2020-1035 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka 'VBScript Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1058, CVE-2020-1060, CVE-2020-1093.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-1035 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft's VBScript engine implementation. This vulnerability specifically targets how the engine manages objects in memory, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue affects systems running Windows operating systems where VBScript is enabled, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where scripting capabilities are commonly utilized. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat means that malicious actors can potentially compromise systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a crafted document.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper memory handling within the VBScript engine component of Microsoft's Windows operating systems. When the engine processes certain VBScript objects, it fails to properly validate memory references, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios. This memory handling flaw allows attackers to manipulate object references in a way that can overwrite critical memory locations or execute malicious code within the context of the scripting engine. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the engine encounters malformed or specially crafted VBScript objects that trigger the memory corruption behavior, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it can be exploited remotely through web browsers or other applications that process VBScript content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious websites or embedding malicious VBScript code in documents that, when opened, trigger the vulnerable code path. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks, as attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can establish persistent access and escalate privileges. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVE identifiers such as CVE-2020-1058, CVE-2020-1060, and CVE-2020-1093 demonstrates that this represents a broader class of issues affecting VBScript engine components, suggesting that similar memory handling flaws may exist in related functionality.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and potentially relates to CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability correspond to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.005 sub-technique for script interpreter execution. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability does not require user interaction to be exploited, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting measures can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's severity classification as critical underscores the importance of immediate remediation efforts and continuous monitoring for potential exploitation attempts in network environments.