CVE-2018-0996 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the scripting engine of Internet Explorer allows remote code execution, affecting versions 9, 11, and 10.

Understanding CVE-2018-0996

What is CVE-2018-0996?

This vulnerability in Internet Explorer's scripting engine, known as "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability," enables remote code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0996

The vulnerability affects Internet Explorer versions 9, 11, and 10, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0996

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from how Internet Explorer's scripting engine manages objects in memory, leading to potential exploitation for remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Internet Explorer 9 on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 and x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 11 on various Windows versions including Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and Server editions
Internet Explorer 10 on Windows Server 2012

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious website or email to trick users into visiting, leading to the execution of arbitrary code on the victim's system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by Microsoft promptly to mitigate the vulnerability
Consider using alternative browsers until the patch is applied

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious activities

Patching and Updates

Microsoft has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest patches.