CVE-2014-1753 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 9 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, specifically when processing certain JavaScript objects and DOM elements. The flaw exists in the browser's memory management system where insufficient bounds checking and validation occurs during object allocation and deallocation phases. Attackers could craft specific web pages containing malformed JavaScript code or HTML elements that would trigger memory corruption when processed by the affected IE versions. The vulnerability manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-476, null pointer dereference, both of which are common in browser exploitation scenarios. The attack vector requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor access, as the exploited user context typically includes administrative privileges. The memory corruption occurs during JavaScript engine execution, specifically in the V8 or Chakra JavaScript engines used by these IE versions, where memory allocation patterns and object lifecycle management fail to prevent malicious input from corrupting critical memory regions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where system resources become exhausted or corrupted, rendering the browser or entire system unstable. This weakness maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, demonstrating how attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Organizations using these outdated browser versions faced significant risk due to the lack of security updates and the complexity of patch management in enterprise environments. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires sophisticated techniques involving memory layout manipulation and code injection, making it a preferred target for advanced persistent threat actors. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that corrected memory management procedures and implemented additional bounds checking mechanisms. The remediation process required immediate deployment of patches across all affected systems, as the vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how browser memory management flaws can be weaponized for system compromise, highlighting the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing network security controls to prevent access to malicious sites. The attack surface for this vulnerability extended beyond individual user systems to include corporate networks where legacy browser usage was common, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern browser security and the challenges of maintaining secure memory management in complex software environments. The exploitation techniques developed for this vulnerability contributed to the broader understanding of browser-based attack patterns and influenced the development of more robust memory safety mechanisms in subsequent browser versions. Organizations should consider implementing browser hardening measures and web application firewalls to protect against similar vulnerabilities while awaiting full patch deployment. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common attack patterns in the cybersecurity landscape, where memory corruption flaws represent one of the most persistent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in client-side applications.