CVE-2014-1717 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 34.0.1847.116, does not properly use numeric casts during handling of typed arrays, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds array access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1717 resides within Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution environment for Google Chrome browser and other applications. This flaw specifically manifests in how the engine handles typed arrays, a feature designed to provide efficient access to binary data through JavaScript. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 34.0.1847.116, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity. The issue stems from improper numeric cast handling during typed array operations, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate array boundaries through carefully crafted JavaScript code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a critical flaw in the type conversion mechanisms within V8's typed array handling subsystem. When JavaScript code attempts to perform operations on typed arrays, the engine should properly validate and cast numeric values to ensure they remain within valid array bounds. However, the vulnerability allows for situations where numeric casts fail to properly constrain values, leading to out-of-bounds memory access patterns. This failure occurs during the execution of JavaScript code that manipulates typed arrays, particularly when dealing with array length calculations and index validation. The flaw essentially permits attackers to bypass normal boundary checking mechanisms through subtle manipulation of numeric values during type conversion processes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple potential attack vectors that could result in severe consequences for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute denial of service attacks by causing Chrome to crash or become unresponsive through crafted JavaScript payloads. Beyond simple service disruption, the vulnerability may enable more sophisticated attacks that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The out-of-bounds array access could provide attackers with opportunities to manipulate memory layouts, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data corruption. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that Chrome's widespread usage makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise large numbers of systems simultaneously.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and security patches provided by Google. Organizations should prioritize updating to Chrome version 34.0.1847.116 or later, which includes the necessary fixes for the numeric cast handling issue. Additionally, security administrators should implement network monitoring to detect and block suspicious JavaScript traffic that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Browser security policies can be enhanced through the implementation of Content Security Policy headers and sandboxing mechanisms that limit the potential impact of malicious code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection measures to provide additional layers of defense against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate any related weaknesses in the browser environment or associated applications that utilize the affected V8 engine.