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Full vulnerability report · 2018
CVE-2018-8625High confidence

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9: Use After Free

Microsoft · Internet Explorer 9

7.5HighCVSS 3.0
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 5 Aug 2024

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • EPSS is 43.76% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2018-20237

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10.

What

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine handles objects in memory, aka "Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10.

Why

The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Use After Free → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-416 ↗

CWE-416: Use After Free. The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCWE-416Public exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2018-AVI-593Multiples vulnérabilités dans Microsoft IE

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été corrigées dans Microsoft IE . Elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code à distance.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2018-011072Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 から 11 におけるリモートでコードを実行される脆弱性

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 から 11 には、VBScript エンジンがメモリ内のオブジェクトを処理する方法に不備があるため、リモートでコードを実行される脆弱性が存在します。 ベンダは、本脆弱性を「Windows VBScript エンジンのリモートでコードが実行される脆弱性」として公開しています。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-4975MS 12월 보안 위협에 따른 정기 보안 업데이트 권고

CVE-2018-8595,CVE-2018-8596,CVE-2018-8639) - DID 취약점(ADV180029) o 영향 : 권한상승 o 중요도 : 중요 o 관련 KB번호 - 4471318, 4471328 ##### □ 해결책 o 영향 받는 소프트웨어를 이용하는 경우 마이크로소프트사의 보안 패치 적용 6. Windows Server 2008 보안 업데이트 ##### □ 설명 o 공격자가 프로그램 버그(실행 처리 구문의 허점 등)을 악용하여 보호되는 자원들에 임의로 접근하는 권한상승 취약점 o 관련취약점 : - 권한상승 취약점(CVE-2018-8611,CVE-2018-8641) - 정보노출 취약점(CVE-2018-8477,CVE-2018-8514,CVE-2018-8595,CVE-2018-8596,CVE-2018-8639) - DID 취약점(ADV180029) o 영향 : 권한상승 o 중요도 : 중요 o 관련 KB번호 - 4471325, 4471319 ##### □ 해결책 o 영향 받는 소프트웨어를 이용하는 경우 마이크로소프트사의 보안 패치 적용 7. Internet Explorer 보안 업데이트 ##### □ 설명 o 이용자가 특수하게 제작된 악성 웹 페이지를 열람할 경우, 원격코드실행을 허용하는 취약점 o 관련취약점 : - 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2018-8625,CVE-2018-8643) o 영향 : 원격코드실행 o 중요도 : 중요 o 관련 KB번호 - 4471318, 4470199, 4471320, 4470199, 4471321, 4471323, 4471327, 4471329, 4471324, 4471332, 4471330, 4470199, 4471325, 4470199 ##### □ 해결책 o 영향 받는 소프트웨어를 이용하는 경우 마이크로소프트사의 보안 패치 적용 8. ChakraCore 보안 업데이트 ##### □ 설명 o 이용자가 특수하게 제작된 악성 웹 페이지를 열람할 경우, 원격코드실행을 허용하는 취약점 ※ ChakraCore : Edge의 자바스크립트 엔진, Cloud, 게임엔진, IoT 등에서도 사용 o 관련취약점 : - 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2018-8583,CVE-2018-8624) o 영향 : 원격코드실행 o 중요도 : 긴급 ##### □ 해결책 o 영향 받는 소프트웨어를 이용하는 경우 마이크로소프트사의 보안 패치 적용 9. Office 보안 업데이트 ##### □ 설명 o 이용자가 특수하게 제작된 악성 문서를 열람할 경우, 원격코드실행을 허용하는 취약점 o 관련취약점 : - 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2018-8587,CVE-2018-8597,CVE-2018-8628) - 정

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 12 Dec 2018 · Last source change 5 Aug 2024, 07:02 UTC · CWE-416 · Use After Free

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-01
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2018-20237
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceNIST NVD
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2018-20237 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2018-20237"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  2. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added patch: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2018-8625; added remediation: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2018-8625.
    Before
    no authoritative guidance recorded
    After
    patch: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2018-8625 · remediation: portal.msrc.microsoft.com/CVE-2018-8625
    portal.msrc.microsoft.com ↗
  3. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2; Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 for x64-based Systems; Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems; Windows 10 Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2; Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 for x64-based Systems; Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems; Windows 10 Version 1703 for 32-bit Systems; Windows 10 Version 1703 for x64-based Systems · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
  4. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Patch available
    portal.msrc.microsoft.com ↗
  5. SeveritySeverity changed from Unknown to High.
    Before
    Unknown
    After
    High
    NIST NVD ↗
  6. CVSS scoreCVSS score changed from not recorded to 7.5 (CVSS 3.0 · NIST NVD · CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    7.5 (CVSS 3.0 · NIST NVD · CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
    NIST NVD ↗
  7. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2018-20237↗Patch or update reference↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Public exploit reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2018-8625 · cve.blacktree.nl