CVE-2018-8298
ChakraCore Scripting Engine Type Confusion Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2018-8298 is a high-severity access of resource using incompatible type ('type confusion') vulnerability affecting ChakraCore ChakraCore scripting engine. The ChakraCore scripting engine contains a type confusion vulnerability which can allow for remote code execution. CISA has added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. With an EPSS score of 90.14% (99.6th percentile), this vulnerability has a notable probability of exploitation.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | chakracore | < 1.10.1 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104639(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2018-8298(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45217/(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-8298(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-843: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
Type Confusion occurs when a product allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses that resource using an incompatible type. When the resource is accessed using the wrong type, it may lack expected properties, triggering logical errors.
Learn more: CWE-843 — Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
Impact Analysis
CVE-2018-8298 carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 (HIGH), indicating a high-severity threat. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network though attack complexity is high and requires no authentication, though user interaction is needed. Successful exploitation can severely compromise data confidentiality, and allow unauthorized modification of data and systems, and cause complete service disruption. Organizations running affected ChakraCore scripting engine deployments face significant operational risk if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2018-8298 is confirmed as actively exploited through its listing in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 90.14% (99.6th percentile) reflects an exceptionally high probability of exploitation. Public exploit code is available, which lowers the barrier for attackers and increases the urgency of remediation. Federal agencies were required to remediate this vulnerability by 2022-03-17 per CISA's binding operational directive.
Remediation
- Apply vendor patches immediately as mandated by CISA KEV: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Verify that all instances of affected products (microsoft chakracore < 1.10.1) have been updated to patched versions.
- If immediate patching is not possible, restrict network access to affected systems using firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure.
- Monitor systems for indicators of compromise, including unusual process activity, unexpected network connections, and unauthorized configuration changes.
- Review security logs and conduct threat hunting to determine if the vulnerability was exploited prior to patching.
Technical Details
CVE-2018-8298 affects ChakraCore ChakraCore scripting engine. The ChakraCore scripting engine contains a type confusion vulnerability which can allow for remote code execution. The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without physical access to the target system. The CVSS score of 7.5 reflects a serious vulnerability that poses meaningful risk to affected environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2018-8298 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2018-8298 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation. The EPSS score of 90.14% (99.6th percentile) further indicates a very high exploitation probability.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-8298?
CVE-2018-8298 affects ChakraCore ChakraCore scripting engine. Specifically affected products include: microsoft chakracore (< 1.10.1).
How do I fix CVE-2018-8298?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Ensure all affected systems are updated to the latest patched versions. If patching is not immediately possible, implement network-level mitigations to limit exposure.
How severe is CVE-2018-8298?
CVE-2018-8298 has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 (HIGH). This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for remediation.
Need Help With Vulnerability Management?
Our security experts can help you prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.