LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2019-0920: Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Microsoft browsers. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website designed to exploit the vulnerability through a Microsoft browser and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the browser rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the scripting engine handles objects in memory.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2019-0920 is a Microsoft browser scripting engine flaw that could let an attacker run code after a user opens malicious web content. The impact depends on the user’s privileges; administrator browsing could lead to full system control. Available sources do not show known active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy browser remediation item with moderate urgency. It is not supported by KEV evidence as an active emergency, but unpatched Internet Explorer exposure can still create serious workstation compromise risk.

Technical view

The vulnerability is memory corruption in the Microsoft scripting engine’s object handling. It affects Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11. Attack scenarios include crafted websites, compromised content or ads, and applications or Office documents hosting the browser rendering engine with ActiveX content.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Internet Explorer 9, 10, or 11 remains usable, including legacy line-of-business workflows, kiosks, or compatibility-dependent desktops. Systems where users browse as local administrators carry higher business risk.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector requires network access and user interaction. The bundle marks KEV as false, so active exploitation should not be claimed. The CVSS exploit maturity value indicates proof-of-concept evidence, but the sources provided do not include operational exploit details.

Researcher notes

Focus assessment on reachable legacy IE surfaces and embedded browser-engine use, not only standalone browsing. The vendor states the fix changes scripting engine memory handling. Evidence is incomplete on exact affected builds and real-world exploitation beyond the supplied CVSS exploit maturity signal.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2019-0920.
  • Retire or tightly limit Internet Explorer use where possible.
  • Restrict legacy browser rendering inside Office documents and embedded applications.
  • Reduce routine browsing with local administrator accounts.
  • Check current Microsoft guidance for environment-specific update applicability.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory endpoints with Internet Explorer 9, 10, or 11 enabled.
  • Confirm Microsoft’s CVE-2019-0920 security update is installed.
  • Identify business applications that host the IE rendering engine.
  • Review Office document workflows that allow embedded ActiveX content.
  • Validate privileged users are not browsing with administrator rights.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution 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 lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2019-0920 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2019-0920Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
MicrosoftInternet Explorer 111.0.0Listed
MicrosoftInternet Explorer 101.0.0Listed
MicrosoftInternet Explorer 91.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.