CVE-2014-1746 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The InMemoryUrlProtocol::Read function in media/filters/in_memory_url_protocol.cc in Google Chrome before 35.0.1916.114 relies on an insufficiently large integer data type, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via vectors that trigger use of a large buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1746 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Google Chrome's media processing component, specifically affecting versions prior to 35.0.1916.114. This issue resides in the InMemoryUrlProtocol::Read function located in media/filters/in_memory_url_protocol.cc, which handles the processing of media content within the browser's memory management system. The flaw manifests when the browser encounters media files that trigger the use of large buffers, creating a scenario where insufficient integer data type handling leads to memory access violations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate integer overflow protection within the buffer management logic. When Chrome processes media content through the in-memory URL protocol handler, it employs integer variables to track buffer sizes and memory allocation limits. The vulnerability occurs because these integers are not sufficiently large to handle the full range of possible buffer sizes that could be encountered during media processing. This insufficient data type sizing creates a condition where a maliciously crafted media file can cause the integer to overflow or exceed its maximum representable value, leading to improper buffer calculations and subsequent out-of-bounds memory reads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant denial of service risk that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The attack vector involves delivering specially crafted media content that, when processed by Chrome's in-memory protocol handler, triggers the integer overflow condition. This exploitation results in the browser experiencing out-of-bounds memory reads, which typically manifests as application crashes or instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt user experiences or potentially establish footholds for more sophisticated attacks.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper handling of integer overflows and underflows, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it represents a foundational weakness that could enable more advanced attack chains. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that successful exploitation results in service disruption rather than direct system compromise, though such disruptions can be leveraged as part of broader attack strategies. Organizations using affected Chrome versions face significant risk due to the browser's widespread adoption and the ease with which this vulnerability can be triggered through standard web content delivery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1746 primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions 35.0.1916.114 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the integer overflow handling. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where Chrome is widely used. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious media content, though such approaches may introduce performance overhead and false positive risks. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, though they may not prevent successful attacks. The vulnerability's nature as a memory handling issue also suggests that enhanced browser sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms could provide additional layers of defense, though these measures are secondary to the primary requirement of applying the vendor-provided security patches. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to ensure all Chrome installations are properly updated and monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through web-based attack vectors.