CVE-2014-1291 in WebKit
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 7.1 and Apple TV before 6.1, 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-2014-1289, CVE-2014-1290, CVE-2014-1292, CVE-2014-1293, and CVE-2014-1294.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple's mobile operating systems and Apple TV platform, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability affects Apple iOS versions prior to 7.1 and Apple TV versions prior to 6.1, demonstrating how browser engine vulnerabilities can compromise entire operating system ecosystems. The flaw manifests when WebKit processes maliciously crafted web content, specifically through improper memory handling during web page rendering operations that leads to unpredictable behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs during the parsing and rendering of web content, particularly when handling specific combinations of HTML elements and JavaScript code. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within WebKit's memory management systems, allowing them to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1291 extends beyond simple application crashes to represent a complete compromise of user device security. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on targeted devices without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Apple platforms demonstrates the widespread nature of the WebKit engine's implementation and highlights how a single flaw in a core component can affect numerous devices simultaneously. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution.
The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates a particularly dangerous attack surface because it allows adversaries to manipulate the execution flow of legitimate applications. When memory corruption occurs, attackers can potentially redirect program execution to malicious payloads that they have injected into memory, effectively taking control of the affected system. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers do not need physical access to devices or any form of local privilege escalation to exploit it, making it highly attractive for large-scale attacks. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in WebKit vulnerabilities where improper memory management leads to predictable corruption patterns that can be systematically exploited.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve prompt system updates and patches from Apple, which address the underlying memory handling issues in WebKit's rendering engine. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping operating systems updated remains crucial. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption flaw makes it particularly susceptible to exploit mitigation techniques such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries, though these protections may not be sufficient against sophisticated attacks. Regular security assessments and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in successful compromises.