CVE-2014-1714 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The ScopedClipboardWriter::WritePickledData function in ui/base/clipboard/scoped_clipboard_writer.cc in Google Chrome before 33.0.1750.152 on OS X and Linux and before 33.0.1750.154 on Windows does not verify a certain format value, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the clipboard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1714 resides within Google Chrome's clipboard handling mechanism, specifically in the ScopedClipboardWriter::WritePickledData function located in ui/base/clipboard/scoped_clipboard_writer.cc. This flaw affects multiple operating systems including OS X, Linux, and Windows, with different version thresholds for remediation. The issue stems from insufficient validation of format values during clipboard data processing, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries to manipulate the clipboard functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper input validation within the clipboard writer component, which processes pickled data structures for clipboard operations. When Chrome receives clipboard data from external sources, the function fails to verify the integrity of format identifiers, allowing maliciously crafted data to bypass normal validation checks. This absence of format verification creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can be processed through the clipboard mechanism without proper sanitization, potentially leading to system instability or arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation details of the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the flaw could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment and system configuration. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various vectors related to clipboard manipulation, potentially causing system crashes, application instability, or in more severe cases, achieving arbitrary code execution within the context of the Chrome process. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that organizations using Chrome across different operating systems must consider the potential for consistent exploitation across their entire user base, making this a particularly concerning security issue for enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1714 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to the affected Chrome versions, with administrators ensuring that all systems are updated to versions 33.0.1750.152 or later for OS X and Linux, and 33.0.1750.154 or later for Windows. Additional protective measures include implementing network-level restrictions that limit clipboard data exchange with untrusted sources, enabling sandboxing features within Chrome where available, and monitoring for unusual clipboard activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict clipboard access to trusted applications only, following the principle of least privilege to minimize potential attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1133 for clipboard data manipulation, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security controls around clipboard operations in browser environments.