CVE-2014-0272 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 through 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0272 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 10. This vulnerability resides within the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering processes, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted web content. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes certain HTML elements or JavaScript code that leads to improper memory allocation or deallocation, ultimately resulting in memory corruption that adversaries can leverage for malicious purposes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when software accesses memory locations beyond allocated boundaries. In the context of Internet Explorer, this memory corruption typically occurs during the parsing and execution of complex web page structures, particularly involving dynamic content manipulation or object handling. Attackers can craft web pages containing malformed HTML or JavaScript that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, triggers buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions that allow code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0272 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential denial of service scenarios that can render affected systems unusable. When exploited, the memory corruption can cause Internet Explorer to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to system instability and potential data loss. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Internet Explorer versions, making it particularly dangerous as organizations with legacy systems or those slow to update remain exposed. The exploitability of this vulnerability increases significantly in environments where users have administrative privileges, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0272 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-012. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that might host exploit code. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary features like ActiveX controls and implementing strict security zones can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial in defending against this type of vulnerability. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous browser behavior and unusual memory usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable systems receive timely updates.