CVE-2014-1719 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the WebSharedWorkerStub::OnTerminateWorkerContext function in content/worker/websharedworker_stub.cc in the Web Workers implementation in Google Chrome before 34.0.1847.116 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors that trigger a SharedWorker termination during script loading.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1719 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's Web Workers implementation, specifically affecting the WebSharedWorkerStub::OnTerminateWorkerContext function in the content/worker/websharedworker_stub.cc file. This flaw exists in Chrome versions prior to 34.0.1847.116 and demonstrates a fundamental memory management error that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise system stability and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability manifests when a SharedWorker is terminated during the script loading phase, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after deallocation, leading to heap corruption and unpredictable system behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of memory references within the Web Workers subsystem, which is designed to enable background script execution without blocking the user interface. When a SharedWorker context is terminated while scripts are still being loaded, the OnTerminateWorkerContext function fails to properly manage the reference counting and memory cleanup process. This results in a situation where the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a use-after-free condition that can be systematically exploited to corrupt heap memory structures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions, and represents a classic example of improper memory management in multi-threaded environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1719 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the heap corruption resulting from this vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. Remote attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path, leading to system instability, application crashes, or more severe consequences including privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects the core Web Workers functionality that enables concurrent script execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities. Attackers may leverage this weakness to perform persistent attacks against users, potentially leading to complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and user privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1719 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates, with organizations required to deploy Chrome version 34.0.1847.116 or later to address the memory management flaw. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing without user interaction. Additionally, organizations may consider implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to limit exposure, though these measures provide only partial protection against sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser security and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve code execution through compromised browser processes. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on memory management practices should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future browser implementations, particularly within the complex multi-threaded environment of modern web browsers.