CVE-2014-0285 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-2014-0275 and CVE-2014-0286.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is distinct from related issues CVE-2014-0275 and CVE-2014-0286, indicating separate code paths and exploitation mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and HTML parser failing to properly validate memory allocations when processing malformed web content. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions in the browser's memory management systems. When a user visits such a site, the malicious code can execute within the browser's security context, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level through the browser's memory management subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass many traditional security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption nature makes exploitation reliable and predictable, as it directly targets fundamental browser operations. Organizations running older versions of Internet Explorer face the highest risk, though even newer versions may be vulnerable if users have not applied security patches. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through memory corruption attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Internet Explorer versions, along with implementing browser isolation techniques and network-based protections. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block known malicious content. Security teams should also enforce strict browser usage policies, encouraging migration to more secure modern browsers while maintaining legacy support for critical applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to threat actors. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other browser components and web technologies.