CVE-2014-1336 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.1.4 and 7.x before 7.0.4, 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-2014-05-21-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1336 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 6.1.4 and 7.x versions before 7.0.4, making it a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of the browser user base during that period. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain JavaScript constructs, creating opportunities for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content that users might inadvertently visit.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine implementation. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specific web pages containing malicious JavaScript code that would trigger memory corruption when processed by the browser. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and web browser security, where improper bounds checking or memory deallocation leads to exploitable conditions. This type of flaw typically manifests through heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1336 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential denial of service scenarios that could crash the entire Safari application. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers could either gain full system compromise or simply disrupt user productivity through application crashes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. These weaknesses create a pathway for attackers to manipulate the browser's execution flow and potentially escalate privileges.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the sophisticated nature of modern browser-based attacks and highlights the complexity of securing web rendering engines. The attack vector relies on users visiting compromised websites, making it particularly challenging to defend against through traditional network security measures. This vulnerability exemplifies the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The security implications extend to enterprise environments where Safari is widely used, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to corporate networks through compromised user endpoints.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1336 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to the latest supported versions. Organizations should implement automated update mechanisms to ensure rapid deployment of security patches across all affected systems. Additional protective measures include browser hardening configurations, sandboxing implementations, and network-based security controls that can detect and block malicious web content. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2014-1336.