CVE-2014-0308 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-2014-0297, CVE-2014-0312, and CVE-2014-0324.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11, classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory structures when processing specially crafted web content, specifically targeting the browser's rendering engine and memory management subsystems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger memory corruption during normal browsing operations, potentially allowing remote code execution or system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulating memory pointers and buffer boundaries within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and HTML parser, creating conditions where memory allocated for web content can be overwritten or accessed beyond its intended boundaries. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows and use-after-free conditions, where previously freed memory blocks are accessed or overwritten, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute malicious code.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, particularly in legacy systems that cannot be immediately upgraded. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or specialized attack vectors, making it a preferred target for widespread exploitation campaigns. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer face potential data breaches, system takeovers, and persistent backdoor installations that could remain undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and control, and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, making it a critical target for defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor released comprehensive fixes for this vulnerability in their regular security bulletins. Organizations should implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability. Browser isolation techniques and mandatory upgrade policies for Internet Explorer should be enforced across enterprise environments, with particular attention to legacy systems that may be running unsupported versions. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and potential exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis of browser processes, implementing both signature-based and anomaly-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts.