CVE-2014-1774 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-1788 and CVE-2014-2754.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability represents a distinct issue from other related flaws such as CVE-2014-1788 and CVE-2014-2754, indicating separate code paths and exploitation mechanisms within the browser's memory management systems. The flaw specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering and script execution processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory pointers or overwrite critical data structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within Internet Explorer's rendering engine, particularly when processing certain JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger memory allocation and deallocation sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious website loads content that triggers improper memory handling within IE9's JavaScript engine or rendering components. Attackers can craft web pages containing specially formatted data structures or script code that, when processed by the browser, causes memory corruption through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or heap corruption scenarios. These memory corruption issues typically manifest when the browser attempts to allocate memory for dynamic content or when it deallocates memory for objects that are still referenced elsewhere in the execution context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, indicating both read and write memory access violations that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector requires user interaction through web browsing, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that deliver malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security risks for enterprise and individual users. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running Internet Explorer. This capability enables attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability's presence in IE9 also affects organizations using legacy systems where upgrading browsers is not immediately possible, creating extended attack windows and increased risk exposure. Organizations may experience service disruptions through denial of service conditions that can crash the browser or system processes, leading to productivity losses and potential business continuity issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches that address the specific memory corruption flaws in IE9's rendering engine. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the relevant Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-037 which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening configurations that disable potentially dangerous JavaScript features, using enhanced security browsing modes, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious web content. Network-level protections such as content filtering systems and intrusion detection systems should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated. Organizations may also consider implementing browser isolation techniques or using alternative browsers with more robust security models as temporary mitigation while planning comprehensive browser upgrade strategies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered security approaches to protect against memory corruption exploits that can bypass traditional security controls.