CVE-2020-0811
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems by exploiting a memory corruption flaw in the Chakra scripting engine in Microsoft Edge. Attackers could compromise user systems by tricking victims into visiting malicious websites. This affects users running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Edge on Windows systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
📦 What is this software?
Chakracore by Microsoft
Edge by Microsoft
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control over the victim's computer, enabling data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Browser compromise leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and installation of malware or spyware on the user's system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with browser sandboxing containing the exploit, potentially resulting in browser crash but not full system compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious website) but no authentication. Memory corruption vulnerabilities in JavaScript engines are frequently exploited in the wild.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Microsoft Edge version with February 2020 security updates
Vendor Advisory: https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0811
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Windows Update settings. 2. Check for updates. 3. Install all available updates. 4. Restart computer if prompted. 5. Verify Edge version is updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
windowsPrevents exploitation by disabling JavaScript execution in Edge
Use Chromium-based Edge
windowsSwitch to Chromium-based Microsoft Edge which is not affected
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user access to untrusted websites using web filtering solutions
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Edge version: edge://settings/help or Settings > About Microsoft EdgeCheck Version:
msedge --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Edge version is updated to post-February 2020 build and check Windows Update history for KB4532693 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Edge crash reports with memory access violations
- Unexpected process creation from Edge
- Suspicious JavaScript execution patterns
Network Indicators:
- Connections to known malicious domains from Edge
- Unusual outbound traffic patterns
SIEM Query:
source="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing" EventCode=4688 NewProcessName="*\cmd.exe" OR NewProcessName="*\powershell.exe" ParentProcessName="*\msedge.exe"