CVE-2014-0287 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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-2014-0281.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0287 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11, exposing users to significant security risks including remote code execution and denial of service conditions. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory management weaknesses in the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components. The flaw operates through crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Internet Explorer's core rendering engine, where specifically crafted web pages can cause memory corruption through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in a vulnerable browser, triggers memory corruption in the browser's memory management subsystem. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and phishing campaigns. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, both of which are common patterns in browser memory corruption exploits.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on older Internet Explorer versions, as it can be exploited remotely without user interaction to gain full system compromise. The memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, and complete system compromise when attackers successfully execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability's exploitation potential extends beyond simple denial of service to full system compromise, making it particularly attractive to advanced persistent threat actors. Organizations with legacy systems running Internet Explorer 8 through 11 face significant exposure, as these browsers are often used in enterprise environments where security updates may be delayed or restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates how browser-based memory corruption issues can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
Security mitigations for CVE-2014-0287 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, with Microsoft releasing security updates that address the memory corruption flaws in the browser's rendering engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web filtering solutions can help detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions and implementing security awareness training to prevent users from visiting malicious websites. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through browser vulnerabilities, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability represents a common attack vector in enterprise security incidents.