CVE-2014-1713 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the AttributeSetter function in bindings/templates/attributes.cpp in the bindings in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 33.0.1750.152 on OS X and Linux and before 33.0.1750.154 on Windows, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving the document.location value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The CVE-2014-1713 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine's JavaScript bindings system, specifically affecting the AttributeSetter function in the bindings/templates/attributes.cpp file. This vulnerability exists in Google Chrome versions prior to 33.0.1750.152 on macOS and Linux systems and before 33.0.1750.154 on Windows platforms, making it a widespread issue across multiple operating systems and browser versions. The flaw manifests when processing document.location values through JavaScript bindings, creating a dangerous condition where memory previously freed by the application is accessed again, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory, making it a direct descendant of the well-known memory safety issues that plague modern web browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of JavaScript properties that are bound to DOM elements, particularly those involving the document.location object. When a JavaScript setter function attempts to modify attributes that are bound to the DOM, the AttributeSetter function in Blink's binding layer fails to properly manage memory references, leading to a situation where freed memory objects are accessed during subsequent operations. This creates a scenario where an attacker can control the contents of freed memory and potentially redirect execution flow or corrupt process memory, allowing for either denial of service conditions or more severe consequences including remote code execution. The vulnerability leverages the inherent complexity of JavaScript-to-C++ binding mechanisms in web browsers, where the interaction between high-level scripting languages and low-level memory management creates numerous potential attack surfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1713 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the use-after-free condition can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the browser process. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path through carefully constructed JavaScript that manipulates document.location properties, potentially leading to complete browser compromise and user data exposure. The vulnerability affects all versions of Chrome that were released before the specified patch versions, creating a significant attack surface across numerous deployed browser instances. Organizations running affected versions face potential exploitation by threat actors who can leverage this vulnerability to perform remote attacks against users, making it a critical security concern for enterprises and individual users alike. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it occurs within the core browser rendering engine, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network-level security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1713 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, with users and organizations urged to upgrade to the patched versions 33.0.1750.152 or later for macOS and Linux systems, and 33.0.1750.154 or later for Windows systems. Security updates should be deployed immediately to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability does not require user interaction to be triggered and can be exploited through automated attacks. Additionally, organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, employing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript/Visual Basic Scripting and T1070.004 for Indicator Removal on Hosts provides guidance for detection and prevention measures, as security teams can monitor for anomalous JavaScript execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify traffic patterns associated with known exploitation techniques for this vulnerability.