CVE-2014-0314 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and 10 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting a malicious website that triggers the vulnerable code path, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system with the privileges of the current user. The flaw exists in the browser's JavaScript engine and memory management subsystem, where insufficient input validation and memory bounds checking allow attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack vector requires user interaction through web browsing, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that can silently execute malicious payloads without user awareness. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of specific web elements, potentially involving object manipulation, buffer handling, or JavaScript execution contexts. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1203, which involves exploitation for persistence, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to execute further malicious activities. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to run arbitrary commands with the same privileges as the browser process.
The technical exploitation involves crafting web content that triggers memory corruption in Internet Explorer's memory management system. The vulnerability manifests when the browser encounters malformed or specially crafted objects that cause memory boundaries to be exceeded during processing. This typically occurs during JavaScript execution or when handling complex web page elements such as arrays, objects, or memory-intensive operations. The memory corruption can lead to heap spraying techniques where attackers manipulate memory layout to ensure their malicious code executes at a predictable location. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of use-after-free conditions and buffer overflow patterns, where freed memory regions are accessed or written beyond allocated boundaries. Attackers often employ techniques such as return-oriented programming or just-in-time compilation exploitation to bypass modern security mechanisms like DEP and ASLR. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of the malicious payload to ensure successful memory manipulation and code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly challenging to defend against because it operates within the legitimate browser execution environment, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0314 involve multiple layers of defense including immediate patch application, browser hardening, and network-level protections. Microsoft released security updates that address the memory corruption issue through improved input validation and memory management routines in Internet Explorer. Organizations should implement browser security policies such as disabling unnecessary features, restricting ActiveX controls, and enabling enhanced security settings. Network administrators can deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and implement web filtering solutions to block malicious content. Security researchers recommend disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and implementing strict content security policies to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing zero-trust network security models. Defense in depth strategies should include regular security assessments, user education about phishing risks, and monitoring for anomalous browser behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies and privileged account protection measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments help identify similar memory corruption issues in other software components. The incident demonstrates the need for continuous security awareness training and incident response planning to effectively handle browser-based exploitation attempts.