CVE-2018-8653 Microsoft Internet Explorer Scripting Engine Memory Corruption

Exploited in the wild High 7.5 Published 20 Dec 2018 Updated 21 Oct 2025

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via memory corruption in the Internet Explorer scripting engine.

Exploited in the wild: Since 3 Nov 2021
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2018-8653?

CVE-2018-8653 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer, published on 20 Dec 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer, aka "Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability." This affects Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 11, Internet Explorer 10. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2018-8643.

Weakness: CWE-787

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-8653?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Microsoft Internet Explorer.

How do I fix CVE-2018-8653?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-8653 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 3 May 2022.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2018-8653 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-8653 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.

All Microsoft Internet Explorer vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-hxxf-h94r-73mv.