CVE-2014-0289 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2014-0267 and CVE-2014-0290.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2025
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through specially crafted web content. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from the related CVE-2014-0267 and CVE-2014-0290, which were also part of a series of Internet Explorer memory corruption flaws affecting the browser's rendering engine. The flaw occurs when Internet Explorer processes maliciously constructed web pages, specifically targeting memory management functions within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by hosting malicious web content that triggers improper memory handling during page rendering, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the browser's core components, particularly affecting how Internet Explorer handles certain JavaScript objects and memory allocation patterns. This issue directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can result in memory corruption. The attack surface is significant as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The operational impact includes potential system compromise, data theft, and complete browser process termination, with the possibility of privilege escalation depending on the target system configuration. Organizations running Internet Explorer 11 are at risk of exploitation through drive-by download attacks, where visiting a compromised website automatically triggers the exploit without user intervention. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution through web-based attacks. From a mitigation perspective, Microsoft released security updates that addressed the memory corruption issues through improved memory validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures, deploy browser isolation solutions, and consider using alternative browsers with more robust security track records. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering can provide additional layers of defense, while user education about avoiding suspicious websites remains crucial. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in securing complex browser environments where multiple execution contexts interact, highlighting the need for comprehensive security approaches that include both defensive measures and proactive threat hunting activities.