CVE-2014-1703 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the WebSocketDispatcherHost::SendOrDrop function in content/browser/renderer_host/websocket_dispatcher_host.cc in the Web Sockets implementation in Google Chrome before 33.0.1750.149 might allow remote attackers to bypass the sandbox protection mechanism by leveraging an incorrect deletion in a certain failure case.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The CVE-2014-1703 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's WebSocket implementation that fundamentally undermines the browser's sandbox security model. This vulnerability exists in the WebSocketDispatcherHost::SendOrDrop function located in content/browser/renderer_host/websocket_dispatcher_host.cc, which is part of Chrome's Web Sockets handling mechanism. The flaw occurs during error conditions when the system incorrectly deletes objects, creating a scenario where freed memory can be accessed and potentially manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the sandbox protection mechanism that isolates renderer processes from the main browser process, thereby compromising the security boundaries that Chrome relies upon to prevent privilege escalation attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition that occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. In this case, the WebSocketDispatcherHost implementation fails to properly manage object lifecycles during error handling scenarios, leading to a situation where an attacker can manipulate freed memory locations to execute arbitrary code. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the renderer host context, which means that successful exploitation could allow remote attackers to bypass the security isolation that Chrome maintains between different browsing contexts. The vulnerability is triggered when the WebSocket connection encounters a failure case, causing the system to delete objects incorrectly while subsequent code paths attempt to access those freed resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1703 extends far beyond simple memory corruption, as it directly compromises the core security architecture of Google Chrome. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can bypass the sandbox protection that normally prevents malicious code from accessing system resources or performing privileged operations. This represents a significant escalation from typical browser-based attacks, as the attacker gains the ability to potentially execute code with the privileges of the renderer process, which could then be leveraged to access sensitive user data, perform reconnaissance, or establish persistence within the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might inadvertently visit malicious websites or be targeted through phishing campaigns. The flaw affects all versions of Chrome prior to 33.0.1750.149, representing a substantial attack surface that was actively exploited in the wild before the patch was released.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1703 focus primarily on immediate patch deployment and browser updates, as this vulnerability was addressed through the release of Chrome version 33.0.1750.149. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, as the vulnerability represents a direct threat to browser security. The fix implemented by Google involved correcting the object lifecycle management within the WebSocketDispatcherHost::SendOrDrop function, ensuring that memory is properly managed during error conditions and that freed objects are not accessed by subsequent code paths. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious WebSocket activity and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in security-critical components and highlights how seemingly minor flaws in error handling can create significant security vulnerabilities that undermine entire security architectures. This case study reinforces the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges within the target system.