CVE-2014-0321 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 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-2014-0313.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating exploitable conditions that allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on victim systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's JavaScript engine and memory management subsystems, where insufficient bounds checking and memory validation mechanisms enable attackers to manipulate heap memory structures through crafted web content.
The technical exploitation occurs when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted HTML and JavaScript content that triggers memory corruption during object creation, manipulation, or deletion. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that, when loaded in the vulnerable browser, cause the browser to allocate memory in predictable patterns that can be overwritten or corrupted. This memory corruption typically manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions, which can be systematically exploited to redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the browser's rendering engine, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional security boundaries and can execute code with the privileges of the logged-in user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and persistent access. Successful exploitation can result in complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and establishment of backdoors for continued unauthorized access. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability through phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the malicious page. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, particularly in legacy systems that have not been migrated to modern browser platforms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the browser's JavaScript engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of untrusted code. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write categories, and represents a technique commonly used in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate any remaining instances of vulnerable browser versions within the enterprise environment.