CVE-2023-33145 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2023
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Information Disclosure Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Edge browser that operates at the core of the chromium-based rendering engine. The issue stems from improper handling of memory management within the browser's javascript engine, specifically when processing certain web page elements that trigger memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to potentially extract sensitive information from memory regions that should remain protected, creating a pathway for data leakage that could expose user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues commonly classified as cwe-125 out of the common weakness enumeration framework, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw manifests when the browser processes specific combinations of javascript objects and memory references, creating predictable memory access patterns that can be exploited through crafted web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's memory management system to access data that should be isolated from regular javascript execution contexts. When Edge processes certain web page structures, particularly those involving complex object hierarchies and memory allocation sequences, it fails to properly enforce memory boundaries. This creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious web pages that can read memory contents from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive data from other browser processes or user sessions. The attack vector typically involves loading a specially crafted webpage that triggers the vulnerable code path within the chromium rendering engine. This exploitation technique aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where adversaries leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve information disclosure objectives.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the browser environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to access cached credentials, browser session data, or other sensitive information stored in memory. The vulnerability affects all versions of Microsoft Edge that are based on the chromium engine, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on browser-based applications and services. Security researchers have noted that the flaw can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, requiring no special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, which makes it particularly difficult to defend against through traditional user awareness training.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest Microsoft Edge versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, as well as deploying network-based protections to monitor for known malicious patterns. Browser hardening techniques such as enabling sandboxing, memory protection mechanisms, and strict content security policies can help reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly unusual memory access patterns or attempts to read from protected memory regions. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing browser-based applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and network segmentation can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar memory safety issues within the browser environment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, following established frameworks such as the owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines.