CVE-2014-1784 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 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-2014-1773, CVE-2014-1783, CVE-2014-1786, CVE-2014-1795, CVE-2014-1805, CVE-2014-2758, CVE-2014-2759, CVE-2014-2765, CVE-2014-2766, and CVE-2014-2775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1784 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering processes, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the application's memory structures. The flaw operates within the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, where improper memory handling allows attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Unlike related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2014-1773 and CVE-2014-1783, this particular issue demonstrates distinct characteristics in its exploitation methodology and memory corruption patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking and memory allocation practices within Internet Explorer's core rendering engine. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to process these elements. The flaw typically manifests when the browser encounters specific combinations of JavaScript objects, DOM manipulations, or memory allocation patterns that cause memory addresses to be overwritten or improperly managed. This memory corruption can result in the execution of attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the logged-in user, effectively providing a complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the user to visit a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1784 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security implications for enterprise environments and individual users. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face elevated risk of successful compromise, particularly when users access untrusted websites or receive malicious emails containing compromised web content. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service creates additional operational concerns, as attackers can cause browser crashes or system instability, leading to productivity losses and potential service disruptions. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as highly critical due to its ease of exploitation and the broad attack surface it provides. The vulnerability affects not only desktop users but also mobile users who rely on Internet Explorer for web browsing, particularly in enterprise settings where legacy systems may not be regularly updated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1784 focus on immediate patch deployment and browser security hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through their regular security bulletin process, and administrators should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected systems. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security features such as enhanced protected mode, disabling unnecessary browser components, and utilizing security software that can detect and block malicious web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of visiting malicious websites and clicking on suspicious links. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate systems running unsupported Internet Explorer versions that remain vulnerable to this and similar memory corruption attacks.