CVE-2014-1302 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.1.3 and 7.x before 7.0.3, 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 other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2014-04-01-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1302 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected Apple Safari browsers across multiple versions. This vulnerability specifically impacted Safari versions prior to 6.1.3 for the 6.x series and 7.0.3 for the 7.x series, making it a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of web users who relied on Apple's browser for their daily online activities. The flaw resides in the way WebKit processes certain JavaScript constructs, creating opportunities for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content that users might encounter while browsing the internet.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the JavaScript engine's object allocation and deallocation mechanisms. When processing specific combinations of JavaScript objects and array operations, the WebKit engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries, leading to heap corruption that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This memory corruption vulnerability operates through a classic use-after-free or buffer overflow pattern where malicious JavaScript code can manipulate object references to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads directly within the browser environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to end users as it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The attack surface is extremely broad since any user browsing the internet could potentially encounter a malicious site designed to exploit this vulnerability. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation to include potential denial of service conditions where applications might crash or become unstable, disrupting user productivity and potentially providing attackers with additional opportunities for follow-up attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for JavaScript execution, where attackers leverage browser-based scripting languages to deliver malicious payloads. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability shares characteristics with other WebKit-based exploits but differs from the specific patterns found in other CVEs referenced in APPLE-SA-2014-04-01-1, making it a distinct threat vector that required specific patching approaches. Organizations and individuals affected by this vulnerability needed to immediately update their Safari installations to prevent exploitation, as the window for attack was significant given the widespread use of the affected browser versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1302 primarily focused on immediate patch application, as recommended by Apple's security advisories. System administrators should have implemented automated update mechanisms to ensure all affected Safari installations received the necessary security patches. Additional protective measures included browser hardening techniques such as enabling sandboxing features, restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive contexts, and implementing web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious content. Network security teams were advised to monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption pattern. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and demonstrated how seemingly minor memory management flaws could have significant security implications for end users across a wide range of computing environments.