CVE-2014-1269 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.1.2 and 7.x before 7.0.2, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-1268 and CVE-2014-1270.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple Safari browser across multiple versions including Safari 6.1.1 and earlier, as well as Safari 7.x versions prior to 7.0.2. The flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of web page elements and memory management processes, creating a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected systems. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category, which encompasses weaknesses related to memory safety and buffer overflows that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires users to visit a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web portals where users might unknowingly trigger the exploit. The vulnerability operates by manipulating the browser's memory allocation and deallocation processes during web page rendering, causing the application to behave unpredictably and potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into the system's memory space. Security researchers have categorized this as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without any user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may encounter such sites through various attack vectors including social engineering, compromised advertising networks, or malicious email attachments that redirect to exploit pages.
The technical impact of this vulnerability manifests as both remote code execution and denial of service conditions, providing attackers with multiple attack paths to compromise affected systems. When exploited, the memory corruption issue can cause Safari to crash or become unresponsive, leading to a denial of service scenario that disrupts user productivity and system availability. More critically, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution which means attackers can potentially install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The exploit typically involves crafting specific HTML elements or JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption when processed by the WebKit engine. This vulnerability is distinct from related issues CVE-2014-1268 and CVE-2014-1270, indicating that it represents a unique memory management flaw within the browser's rendering engine. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection and privilege escalation through browser exploitation, where attackers leverage the browser's trust model to execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Safari is used for business operations, potentially compromising corporate networks and sensitive data. The memory corruption occurs at the level of the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Safari versions 6.1.2 and 7.0.2 or later, which contain patches addressing this specific memory corruption vulnerability. System administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that may host exploit code. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary plugins, restricting JavaScript execution, and implementing strict content security policies can help reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of such exploits. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network traffic patterns, unauthorized system access attempts, or abnormal application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting browser rendering engines. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack surfaces to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and email attachments that may contain malicious code designed to exploit such browser vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the critical need for continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities to address zero-day vulnerabilities in widely used software applications.