CVE-2019-0988: Remote Code Execution in Microsoft Internet Explorer 10

Severity: highType: vulnerabilityCVE-2019-0988

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft browsers. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website designed to exploit the vulnerability through a Microsoft browser and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the browser rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the scripting engine handles objects in memory.

AI Analysis

Technical Summary

CVE-2019-0988 is a high-severity remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer 10. The flaw resides in the scripting engine's handling of objects in memory, which can lead to memory corruption. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code within the security context of the current user. If the user has administrative privileges, the attacker could gain full control over the affected system, including installing programs, modifying or deleting data, and creating new user accounts with elevated rights. The attack vector primarily involves convincing a user to visit a specially crafted malicious website or leveraging compromised or user-content-accepting websites to deliver the exploit payload. Additionally, embedding a malicious ActiveX control marked as "safe for initialization" in applications or Microsoft Office documents that host the browser rendering engine can also trigger exploitation. The vulnerability is mitigated by a security update that changes how the scripting engine manages objects in memory to prevent corruption. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, indicating a high severity level, with attack complexity rated as high and requiring user interaction but no privileges. No known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the published date.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where Internet Explorer 10 remains in use, such as legacy systems or specialized industrial and governmental applications. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized system control, data breaches, and disruption of critical services. Given the ability to execute code remotely, attackers could establish persistent footholds, move laterally within networks, and exfiltrate sensitive information. The impact is heightened in sectors with strict data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, where confidentiality and integrity are paramount. Moreover, organizations relying on legacy applications that embed the IE10 rendering engine or ActiveX controls may be particularly vulnerable. Although no active exploits have been reported, the potential for targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability remains, especially if attackers develop reliable exploit code.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should prioritize applying the official Microsoft security update that addresses this vulnerability to all affected systems running Internet Explorer 10. Given the high attack complexity and requirement for user interaction, organizations should also implement user awareness training to recognize and avoid suspicious links and websites. Disabling or restricting the use of Internet Explorer 10, especially in favor of modern browsers with improved security, will reduce exposure. Additionally, organizations should audit and limit the use of ActiveX controls, particularly those marked as "safe for initialization," and consider disabling ActiveX where feasible. Network-level protections such as web filtering to block access to known malicious sites and intrusion prevention systems configured to detect exploit attempts targeting this vulnerability can further reduce risk. For legacy systems that cannot be updated or replaced promptly, employing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques can help contain potential exploitation.