CVE-2014-0275 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-0285 and CVE-2014-0286.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating a condition where malicious actors can manipulate memory structures to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing and rendering of web pages, where IE fails to properly validate memory boundaries and object references, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption when IE attempts to render specific elements, potentially leading to heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level memory management functions, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard security controls and privilege boundaries. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands on compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can also result in complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain elevated privileges and establish backdoors on affected systems, potentially leading to full network infiltration. The widespread adoption of Internet Explorer across enterprise environments amplifies the risk, as organizations with legacy systems running older IE versions remain particularly vulnerable. Organizations using IE 6 through 11 are exposed to significant risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where browser isolation and network segmentation are insufficient.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability requires no user interaction to exploit once a malicious webpage is visited. System administrators should implement browser isolation techniques, deploy enhanced security features like Enhanced Protected Mode, and consider transitioning to more secure modern browsers that receive regular security updates. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help reduce exposure by blocking access to known malicious domains. Additionally, implementing user education programs to avoid visiting untrusted websites and maintaining regular security assessments can help identify and remediate potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.