CVE-2020-1065 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the ChakraCore scripting engine handles objects in memory, aka 'Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1065 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Microsoft's ChakraCore JavaScript engine, which serves as the core scripting component for various Microsoft applications including Internet Explorer, Edge, and Windows Script Host. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the improper handling of objects within memory management structures, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw resides in how the engine processes and manages object references during runtime operations, particularly when dealing with complex memory allocation patterns and object lifecycle management. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed malicious JavaScript code that triggers memory corruption conditions, ultimately leading to privilege escalation and full system compromise. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Microsoft products and services, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple applications may be running with elevated privileges. This issue demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern scripting engines and their susceptibility to memory management flaws that can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2020-1065 occurs through a memory corruption vulnerability that falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, specifically related to out-of-bounds read conditions within memory management operations. The flaw operates by manipulating object references in a manner that causes the ChakraCore engine to access memory locations outside of the intended object boundaries, resulting in unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by constructing JavaScript payloads that force the engine to perform operations on corrupted memory segments, potentially leading to stack corruption, heap spraying, or other memory manipulation techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires a user to visit a malicious website or open a specially crafted document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. The memory corruption occurs during object creation, modification, or deletion phases, where the engine fails to properly validate object boundaries or maintain proper memory alignment during these critical operations. This flaw represents a classic example of how improper memory management in scripting engines can create persistent security risks that affect multiple applications and platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1065 extends far beyond individual system compromises, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to affected environments and potentially escalate privileges to system-level control. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Windows Script Host, or any application utilizing ChakraCore are at significant risk of targeted attacks, particularly those in high-value sectors such as financial services, government agencies, or critical infrastructure providers. The vulnerability's remote exploit capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. This makes it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities or those that do not maintain up-to-date patch management processes. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and lateral movement within network environments. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, demonstrating its multi-stage attack potential. The widespread adoption of ChakraCore across Microsoft's ecosystem means that a single vulnerability can affect numerous applications and services, creating cascading security risks that require comprehensive remediation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1065 should include immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, which addresses the underlying memory corruption issues in the ChakraCore engine. Organizations must prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive security updates promptly, particularly those running older versions of Windows or legacy applications that may be vulnerable. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening configurations, disabling unnecessary scripting capabilities, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious JavaScript content. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous JavaScript execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing exploit prevention technologies such as control flow integrity checks and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Regular security assessments of applications that utilize ChakraCore should be conducted to identify potential indirect vulnerabilities, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and documents. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how scripting engine vulnerabilities can create persistent risks that require ongoing vigilance and proactive security measures across all affected platforms and applications.