CVE-2014-1342 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 • 06/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1342 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple Safari browser across multiple versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Safari versions prior to 6.1.4 for the 6.x series and 7.0.4 for the 7.x series, making it a widespread concern for users running these older browser versions. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit web applications through maliciously crafted websites, creating a significant security risk that could lead to complete system compromise or service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine, specifically in how it handles certain object allocations and deallocations during web page rendering. When a user visits a malicious website containing crafted JavaScript or HTML elements, the vulnerable browser engine fails to properly validate memory operations, leading to buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. These memory corruption issues occur during the parsing and execution of web content, particularly when handling complex object interactions or memory-intensive operations. The flaw operates at the intersection of multiple attack vectors including JavaScript execution, DOM manipulation, and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through seemingly benign web browsing activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1342 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, effectively bypassing traditional security boundaries and potentially escalating privileges. The memory corruption can manifest as unpredictable application behavior, complete browser crashes, or more sinisterly, provide attackers with the ability to inject and execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that form the basis of this exploit. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects not just web applications but also the underlying browser engine that handles all web content rendering.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management flaws can create significant security risks in modern browsers. This particular flaw represents a classic example of how improper memory handling in complex software systems can be weaponized by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability's classification under the broader WebKit security landscape places it alongside other critical flaws that have affected major browser vendors, highlighting the ongoing challenges in securing complex web rendering engines. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious code directly within the browser environment.
Organizations and individual users affected by CVE-2014-1342 should prioritize immediate remediation through official Apple security updates. The patch released in Safari 6.1.4 and 7.0.4 addresses the underlying memory management issues by implementing proper bounds checking and memory validation procedures. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected Safari installations are updated promptly. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems as defensive measures while awaiting full patch deployment. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as these types of memory corruption flaws often remain undetected for extended periods and can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks against both individual users and enterprise networks.