CVE-2014-0280 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0280 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability resides in the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering, specifically when processing malformed or crafted web content. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary code on affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where older browser versions may still be in use. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple exploitation as it can also be leveraged for persistent denial of service conditions that can render systems unusable. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the memory management of the affected software, specifically categorized under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write," which are fundamental memory safety issues that have plagued software development for decades. The attack vector involves a malicious website that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, triggers the memory corruption through improper handling of specific data structures within the browser's rendering engine.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2014-0280 occurs when Internet Explorer processes malformed HTML or JavaScript content that causes memory corruption in the browser's memory management subsystem. Attackers craft web pages containing specially designed payloads that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, overwrite memory locations or corrupt heap structures, leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability typically manifests through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that occur during object allocation and deallocation processes within the browser's JavaScript engine or HTML parser. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website, requiring no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. The exploitation technique aligns with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0002 (Execution) and technique T1059.007 (JavaScript), where attackers leverage browser-based scripting languages to deliver malicious payloads that exploit memory corruption weaknesses in legacy software components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual system compromise, particularly in enterprise environments where older Internet Explorer versions may still be supported for legacy applications. Organizations running Internet Explorer 6 through 8 are at significant risk of full system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete administrative control over affected machines. The vulnerability's persistence and ease of exploitation make it attractive to threat actors who may use it as a primary attack vector in targeted campaigns. Additionally, the memory corruption can result in system instability and denial of service conditions that can disrupt business operations. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if affected systems are part of regulated environments, as this vulnerability represents a known security gap that could be exploited by adversaries. The vulnerability's age and widespread presence in legacy systems means that many organizations may have inadequate defenses against it, particularly those that have not performed proper inventory assessments of their browser usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0280 should focus on immediate remediation through browser upgrades to supported versions, as Microsoft has long since ended support for Internet Explorer 6 through 8. Organizations should implement browser lockdown policies that restrict access to potentially malicious websites and employ network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems. The implementation of automatic patch management systems can help ensure that all browser installations are kept up to date with the latest security updates. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for web browsing activities and establishing strict browser compatibility policies that eliminate the use of unsupported browser versions in enterprise environments. Security awareness training for users can also help reduce the risk of visiting malicious websites that exploit this vulnerability, though the primary defense remains the elimination of vulnerable browser versions from production environments. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of legacy browser usage that could be exploited through this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.