CVE-2014-1779 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 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-2014-0282, CVE-2014-1775, CVE-2014-1799, CVE-2014-1803, and CVE-2014-2757.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering, specifically affecting how the browser processes certain JavaScript objects and DOM elements. Attackers can craft specially designed web pages that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption when the vulnerable browser attempts to render malicious content, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the core rendering engine level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues in browser implementations. The attack surface is extensive given the widespread adoption of Internet Explorer across enterprise environments, where legacy versions 6 through 8 remain in use despite being end-of-life.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves manipulating JavaScript objects and their associated memory pointers to overwrite critical memory regions. When Internet Explorer processes malformed web content, particularly involving object creation, property manipulation, and memory allocation patterns, it fails to properly validate input parameters, resulting in memory corruption that attackers can leverage to execute malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique for exploitation for execution, where attackers utilize memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain code execution privileges. The memory corruption occurs during the browser's JavaScript engine execution, specifically when handling dynamic object creation and memory management operations. This particular vulnerability differs from other related issues in the same year by targeting a specific memory handling pattern rather than general scripting engine flaws or rendering pipeline issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of Internet Explorer, though the impact is more pronounced in enterprise environments where older browser versions persist. Organizations using legacy Internet Explorer versions face significant risk as these browsers lack modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks or when combined with other exploitation techniques. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be effectively chained with other exploits to bypass security controls, creating a more sophisticated attack vector. The widespread use of Internet Explorer in corporate environments means that a single compromised website can potentially affect thousands of users across multiple organizations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate browser updates and security configuration changes to reduce exposure. Microsoft released security patches for this vulnerability through regular security updates, and organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to address the issue. Browser isolation techniques, including the use of sandboxing and restricted browsing modes, can provide additional protection layers. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent access to known malicious websites. Security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious web content remains crucial, particularly in environments where legacy browser support is required. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive contexts, and implementing strict content security policies. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and demonstrates how legacy browser support can create persistent security risks that require ongoing management and monitoring. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack vectors to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.