CVE-2020-0878: Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2020-0878 is a medium (CVSS 5.1) Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 2.70% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 85.7% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 11-09-2020
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-11-2021
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Edge and Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability
3. 03-05-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft browsers access objects in memory. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to 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, the attacker 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.</p> <p>An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability through Microsoft browsers, and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, or websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements, by adding specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically via an enticement in email or instant message, or by getting them to open an email attachment.</p> <p>The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Microsoft browsers handle objects in memory.</p>

• CWE-787Out-of-bounds WriteThe product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.