CVE-2014-1344 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-2014-1344 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 for the 6.x series and 7.0.4 for the 7.x series, making it a significant security concern for users who had not yet applied the necessary updates. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain JavaScript code constructs, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during JavaScript object handling within WebKit's rendering engine. Attackers could craft malicious web pages containing specially designed JavaScript code that would trigger a memory corruption condition when processed by the browser. This memory corruption typically manifested as heap corruption or stack overflow conditions that could be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. These memory corruption issues provide attackers with the foundation for executing arbitrary code on affected systems or causing application crashes that could lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1344 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that could be weaponized through drive-by downloads or malicious websites. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security restrictions, execute malicious payloads, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. The fact that this vulnerability operated through standard web browsing activities made it particularly dangerous as users did not need to perform any special actions to be exposed to the threat. The attack surface was extensive given Safari's widespread usage across macOS and iOS platforms, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user systems at scale.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was distinct from other WebKit-related CVEs referenced in APPLE-SA-2014-05-21-1, indicating a separate code path that required specific mitigation strategies. The recommended remediation approach centered on applying the vendor-provided security updates, specifically the Safari 6.1.4 and 7.0.4 releases that contained the necessary patches to address the memory corruption issues. Organizations should have implemented immediate patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems received the updates, as the vulnerability's exploitation could occur without user interaction. Additionally, network security measures such as web filtering and content inspection could provide additional layers of protection while waiting for patch deployment. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would fall under T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of web applications, highlighting the multi-layered attack approach required to address such vulnerabilities effectively.