Microsoft patches zero

CVE-2018-8174 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the Microsoft Windows VBScript engine, caused by the way it handles objects in memory. An attacker triggers it by convincing a user to visit a specially crafted website or open crafted content that invokes the VBScript engine (for example via Internet Explorer or a document preview), requiring user interaction. Successful exploitation yields remote code execution with the privileges of the logged-on user, enabling program installation, data theft and account takeover. All listed Windows client and server releases are affected: Windows 7, 8.1, RT 8.1, Windows 10 (1607-1803), and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2, 2012/2012 R2, 2016. Exploitation is in the wild: the flaw was fixed in the May 2018 Patch Tuesday, is listed in CISA KEV with known ransomware use, and public PoCs (0patch, ExploitDB 44741) and exploit kit usage have been documented; EPSS puts its 30-day exploitation probability at 88.5%.

Do: Apply Microsoft's May 2018 security updates (and any later cumulative or Extended Security Updates) to every listed Windows client and server release, as required by the CISA KEV listing, prioritizing internet-reachable and user-facing systems given known ransomware use. Upgrade out-of-support platforms (Windows 7/8.1/RT 8.1, Server 2008/2008 R2, 2012/2012 R2) to supported builds or ensure ESU coverage. As interim mitigation, block VBScript execution in Internet Explorer web zones using Microsoft's documented Group Policy/registry settings, and hunt for prior exploitation on legacy systems.

CVE-2018-8373 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the Microsoft scripting engine's handling of objects in memory, which can corrupt memory and enable remote code execution in Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11. It is triggered when a user is lured to an attacker-crafted web page or script in IE, with no privileges required but user interaction and relatively high attack complexity per the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:H/UI:R). A successful attacker gains arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, compromising that workstation's data and credentials. Any Windows system whose users browse with Internet Explorer 9, 10, or 11 was affected, and Microsoft fixed the flaw in its August 2018 Patch Tuesday release. The flaw was exploited as a zero-day in the wild at the time of patching — press coverage describes an in-the-wild VBScript zero-day blocked by endpoint protection — and it was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-25; EPSS places the 30-day exploitation probability at 61.9% (99th percentile).

Do: Apply Microsoft's August 2018 security updates for Internet Explorer on all supported Windows versions — the required action listed in the CISA KEV — and verify patch deployment via WSUS/SCCM/Intune across end-user workstations and RDS/browsing hosts. As interim mitigation, consider Microsoft's documented workaround of disabling VBScript execution in IE via feature-control keys and steer users away from IE for web browsing. Finally, migrate any remaining IE9/10/11 usage to Microsoft Edge (using IE mode for legacy sites), since IE11 is retired and this flaw is confirmed exploited in the wild.