External risk intelligence

Internet Explorer Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2018-8373

A vulnerability in the Internet Explorer scripting engine may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This impacts organizations using affected Internet Explorer versions. Exploitation can lead to system compromise and data exposure, increasing business risk.

1Halo Surface Signal

Out-of-bounds Write

Microsoft Internet Explorer

11109

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2018-8373

This vulnerability resides within the Internet Explorer scripting engine. It is a client-side issue that requires a user to interact with malicious content via the browser. It does not represent an internet-facing service, gateway, or externally reachable management interface that is exposed by default.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in the Internet Explorer scripting engine could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This occurs when the scripting engine improperly handles objects in memory. The impact could include the compromise of systems and the potential theft or modification of sensitive data, posing a significant business risk.

  • Vulnerable component: Internet Explorer scripting engine
  • Core weakness: Memory object handling
  • Main business impact: Remote code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A vulnerability in the scripting engine of Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This occurs when the engine improperly handles objects in memory. Successful exploitation could lead to an attacker gaining control over the affected system.

  • Exposure condition: Internet Explorer is used.
  • Attacker starting point: Network access.
  • Trigger and result: Malicious website leads to code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A vulnerability in Internet Explorer's scripting engine could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This could lead to the compromise of affected systems and data, posing a significant business risk. The vulnerability requires specific user interaction and a moderate level of attacker skill.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Moderate.
  • Required access or conditions: User interaction with malicious content.
  • Business risk or urgency: High.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code by tricking a user into visiting a malicious website. Exploitation could lead to a compromise of the affected system, enabling further unauthorized actions. Organizations should prioritize understanding their exposure to this scripting engine flaw.

  • Identify systems using affected Internet Explorer versions.
  • Restrict access to or isolate exposed assets.
  • Apply vendor security updates and validate deployment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Internet Explorer scripting engine?

The Internet Explorer scripting engine is a core component of the browser that processes and executes scripts, such as JavaScript, embedded in web pages. This enables dynamic content and interactive features on websites.

What weakness class does CVE-2018-8373 describe?

CVE-2018-8373 describes a memory corruption vulnerability, specifically a CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. This occurs when the scripting engine incorrectly handles objects in memory, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite memory or execute arbitrary code.

How can this scripting engine vulnerability be triggered?

Exploitation involves an attacker tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted website. This malicious content, when processed by the vulnerable scripting engine, can lead to arbitrary code execution on the user's system.

What is the relevance of CVE-2018-8373, according to Halo Surface Signal?

Halo Surface Signal assesses this vulnerability as 'Very unlikely' to be exploited. This is because it is a client-side issue requiring user interaction with malicious content via Internet Explorer, rather than an internet-facing service.

What are practical steps to respond to this vulnerability?

Organizations should identify systems using affected Internet Explorer versions, restrict access to or isolate exposed assets, and promptly apply vendor security updates. Validating the deployment of these updates is also crucial.

References