CVE-2018-8653KEV · OVERDUE

Microsoft Internet Explorer Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability

High · published December 20, 2018

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.5. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 98.2th percentile for exploit probability.

1633
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.5
EPSS
30%
Percentile
98.2
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🔥 A single visit to a malicious website can let attackers execute any code they want through a flaw in Internet Explorer's memory management! Think of it as a restaurant where a waiter accidentally serves a dish that wasn’t even ordered. Instead of checking if it’s safe, they just drop it right on your table, allowing an unwanted guest to sneak in and wreak havoc! The stakes are high: an attacker could seize control of your system, access sensitive data, or even spread malware throughout your network. This vulnerability is like leaving the backdoor wide open, inviting trouble directly in. 🔥

Put simply

Think of it as a restaurant where a waiter accidentally serves a dish that wasn’t even ordered. Instead of checking if it’s safe, they just drop it right on your table, allowing an unwanted guest to sneak in and wreak havoc! This vulnerability occurs due to how Internet Explorer's scripting engine mishandles objects in memory, enabling remote code execution when exploited. A crafted web page can trigger this flaw, making it a prime target for attackers.

What to do

The stakes are high: an attacker could seize control of your system, access sensitive data, or even spread malware throughout your network. This vulnerability is like leaving the backdoor wide open, inviting trouble directly in. 🔥 Immediate action is crucial! Update Internet Explorer to the latest version, apply any security patches, and consider disabling the browser until the update is fully deployed. Always ensure your antivirus software is up to date for extra protection. 🛡️ You've got this! Stay proactive and follow these steps to secure your systems. 💪

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.5 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.29606 · 98.2th percentile
Published
2018-12-20T13:00Z
KEV added
2021-11-03 · due 2022-05-03
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 NOV 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by May 3
    kev
  • 20 DEC 13:00Z
    A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer, aka "Scripting Engine Memory…
    cvelistv5