CVE-2014-1745 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the SVG implementation in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 35.0.1916.114, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors that trigger removal of an SVGFontFaceElement object, related to core/svg/SVGFontFaceElement.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1745 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Scalable Vector Graphics implementation of the Blink rendering engine, which powers Google Chrome browser versions prior to 35.0.1916.114. This vulnerability specifically targets the SVGFontFaceElement object handling within the core/svg/SVGFontFaceElement.cpp component, creating a dangerous condition where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed by malicious code. The flaw arises from improper memory management during the removal process of SVG font face elements, which constitutes a fundamental failure in the browser's memory allocation and deallocation mechanisms. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability, making them prime targets for cyber attackers seeking to compromise user systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated. In the context of web browsers, this type of flaw occurs when the rendering engine fails to properly track object lifecycles, particularly in complex graphics rendering systems like SVG. When an SVGFontFaceElement object is removed from memory, the system should ensure that all references to it are properly invalidated. However, the flaw allows attackers to manipulate the timing and sequence of object removal, potentially causing the browser to access freed memory locations and execute malicious code. This particular implementation issue demonstrates how complex web technologies can introduce subtle memory management bugs that are difficult to detect during routine testing but can be exploited in sophisticated attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1745 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the vulnerability may enable remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. When exploited, this flaw could potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers could craft malicious web pages that automatically trigger the memory corruption when viewed in affected browsers, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may inadvertently visit compromised websites. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique, where attackers leverage memory corruption flaws to gain elevated system access. The impact is further amplified by the widespread use of Google Chrome, making this vulnerability a significant threat vector across numerous computing environments and user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1745 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates, with users urged to upgrade to Google Chrome version 35.0.1916.114 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues. Browser vendors should implement robust memory safety mechanisms including heap sanitizers, address space layout randomization, and stack canaries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious SVG content, while security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security audits of complex rendering engines and the implementation of automated memory safety testing procedures that can identify use-after-free conditions before they reach production environments. The remediation process should also include comprehensive user education about avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser software to minimize exposure to such vulnerabilities.