CVE-2014-0310 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-2014-1815.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer spanning over a decade of releases, making it a widespread concern for organizations with legacy systems. The flaw occurs when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted web content that triggers memory corruption conditions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat vector in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and control communication. The attack surface is extensive given the widespread adoption of Internet Explorer across enterprise environments, particularly in legacy systems where patching may be delayed or incomplete. The memory corruption aspect means that attackers can manipulate memory addresses and execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face substantial risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where users access untrusted web content or where security boundaries are weak. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can render systems unusable. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in browser implementations, as inadequate protection mechanisms allow attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the browser process. This vulnerability exemplifies how seemingly minor memory handling issues can result in catastrophic security consequences, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing and code review processes. The exploitation typically requires social engineering to convince users to visit malicious websites, but once executed, the attack can establish persistent access to target systems. Security researchers have documented numerous real-world exploitation attempts leveraging this vulnerability, making it a high-priority concern for security teams. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple IE versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the browser's memory management architecture that required significant architectural changes to address properly. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management strategies and consider alternative browser solutions to mitigate exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical importance of keeping browser software up to date and implementing network-level protections to prevent access to known malicious sites. The vulnerability also highlights the challenges organizations face when supporting legacy browser versions, as these often contain unpatched security flaws that remain attractive targets for cybercriminals. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how browser-based attacks can bypass traditional network security controls and directly compromise endpoint systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw makes it particularly difficult to detect and prevent through conventional means, requiring specialized security tools and monitoring capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the most severe category of security issues, as it allows attackers to perform arbitrary actions on compromised systems without requiring local access or authentication. The impact on enterprise security operations is significant, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish footholds for more extensive attacks, potentially leading to data breaches and lateral movement within networks. Organizations must consider the broader implications of supporting outdated browser versions, as these create persistent security risks that can be exploited by threat actors targeting specific industries or organizations. The vulnerability's exploitation often involves sophisticated techniques that require detailed knowledge of the target system's memory layout and browser internals. This makes it particularly challenging for security teams to defend against, as the attacks can be highly targeted and difficult to distinguish from legitimate browser behavior. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of implementing layered security approaches that include browser isolation, network segmentation, and user education to reduce the risk of successful exploitation attempts.