CVE-2014-0284 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0284 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks through malicious web content. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted web pages that contain malformed data structures, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes. When Internet Explorer encounters malformed HTML elements or JavaScript constructs, the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate input parameters, resulting in buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious websites that trigger the vulnerable code path, typically through carefully constructed script elements or embedded objects that cause the browser to allocate memory incorrectly. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that Internet Explorer 9 and 10 were widely deployed across enterprise environments, making organizations particularly susceptible to targeted attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0284 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant business continuity risks and data compromise potential. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer face elevated risk of advanced persistent threats where attackers can establish persistent access to systems, exfiltrate sensitive information, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's classification within the MITRE ATT&CK framework places it under the T1059 technique category for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. Additionally, the vulnerability's potential for denial of service attacks can disrupt critical business operations, particularly in environments where web-based applications are essential for daily operations.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0284 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures including applying Microsoft's security patches, implementing network-based protections through firewalls and web application firewalls, and deploying browser isolation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users identify and avoid potentially malicious web content, while maintaining robust monitoring systems to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's age necessitates that organizations not only apply patches but also consider migrating away from unsupported browser versions to more secure alternatives, as continued use of these vulnerable browsers exposes organizations to ongoing threat landscape risks and potential regulatory compliance violations.