CVE-2014-1722 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the RenderBlock::addChildIgnoringAnonymousColumnBlocks function in core/rendering/RenderBlock.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 34.0.1847.116, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving addition of a child node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The CVE-2014-1722 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and other web browsers. This vulnerability exists in the RenderBlock::addChildIgnoringAnonymousColumnBlocks function located in the core/rendering/RenderBlock.cpp file, making it a fundamental component of the browser's layout system. The flaw manifests when the browser processes HTML content that involves complex rendering scenarios, particularly those involving column layouts and nested block elements. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a dangerous state that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious HTML content that triggers the specific code path involving the addChildIgnoringAnonymousColumnBlocks function. During normal browser operation, this function manages the hierarchical structure of rendered elements, particularly when dealing with column-based layouts where anonymous column blocks are created to handle complex CSS layouts. When an attacker can manipulate the timing and sequence of DOM operations, they can cause the browser to free memory associated with a RenderBlock object while still maintaining references to it, leading to a use-after-free condition. This memory corruption can occur during rapid DOM manipulation or when dealing with complex CSS column layouts that involve multiple nested elements.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1722 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe exploitation scenarios. While the vulnerability can certainly cause browser crashes and denial of service conditions, the underlying use-after-free nature suggests potential for remote code execution in certain circumstances. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the browser is running with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions of Google Chrome prior to 34.0.1847.116, representing a significant attack surface for organizations still running older browser versions. The exploitation requires remote code execution capabilities, meaning attackers can leverage this vulnerability through web-based attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1722 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to Chrome version 34.0.1847.116 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Beyond the immediate patching, browser hardening measures should be implemented including enabling sandboxing features, restricting browser permissions, and implementing content security policies to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious HTML content patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, as the attack surface is particularly broad given the prevalence of web-based attacks targeting browser rendering engines.