Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a remote code execution flaw in older Microsoft browsers. A malicious web page can trigger memory type confusion in the browser layout engine and potentially run code as the user. CISA KEV marks it as known exploited, so any remaining IE 10/11 or legacy Edge use is urgent legacy risk.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for legacy asset cleanup and KEV compliance. The business risk is concentrated in outdated browser exposure, but successful exploitation could allow code execution with user-level impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Technical view
CVE-2017-0037 is CWE-843 type confusion in mshtml.dll, specifically Layout::MultiColumnBoxBuilder::HandleColumnBreakOnColumnSpanningElement. The described trigger involves crafted CSS tokens and JavaScript operating on a TH element. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.1, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on legacy Windows systems where Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, or legacy Microsoft Edge can process untrusted web content. Modern environments may still be exposed through old endpoints, compatibility-mode workflows, embedded browser controls, or unmanaged systems.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by the CISA KEV listing. Public exploit references are also listed, including Exploit-DB entries, but the source bundle does not establish current campaign activity, affected patch levels, or reliable detection indicators.
Researcher notes
The bundle identifies a browser layout-engine type confusion with crafted CSS and JavaScript triggers and public exploit references. Avoid assuming product versions beyond IE 10, IE 11, and Microsoft Edge as stated. Vendor-specific patch details and detection indicators require direct MSRC or internal telemetry review.
Mitigation direction
- Identify systems still using Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, or legacy Edge.
- Apply applicable Microsoft MSRC guidance and security updates for CVE-2017-0037.
- Remove or restrict legacy browser use where business processes still depend on it.
- Limit untrusted web access from systems that cannot be remediated promptly.
- Prioritize KEV-driven remediation in vulnerability management deadlines.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints for Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, and legacy Edge presence.
- Verify Microsoft security update status against the MSRC advisory for CVE-2017-0037.
- Check browser control or compatibility-mode dependencies in line-of-business applications.
- Review vulnerability scanner findings for CVE-2017-0037 on legacy Windows assets.
- Confirm compensating controls for any system that cannot be patched or retired.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-843: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-0037 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1011CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://0patch.blogspot.si/2017/03/0patching-another-0-day-internet.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- 41454CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2017-0037CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- 43125CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- 42354CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-0037CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.