CVE-2014-1804 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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-2014-1781, CVE-2014-1792, and CVE-2014-2770.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, specifically when processing certain JavaScript objects or DOM elements. Attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions when IE8 attempts to render the compromised content, leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability operates at the core rendering engine level of Internet Explorer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in heap-based memory management. The flaw typically manifests when IE8 processes malformed or specially crafted JavaScript code that causes the browser's memory allocator to write beyond allocated boundaries or corrupt adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique category, as it enables adversaries to execute code remotely through browser-based attack vectors. The exploitation process often involves leveraging specific memory layout characteristics and using techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct memory manipulation to achieve code execution control.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1804 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully triggers the memory corruption, they can gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the context of the Internet Explorer process, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised network. Organizations running IE8 are particularly vulnerable since this browser version lacks many of the modern security mitigations introduced in later versions, including address space layout randomization and data execution prevention features. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple affected IE8 versions makes it a significant concern for enterprises that have not yet migrated to supported browser versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Microsoft released security updates specifically addressing this memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement browser isolation techniques and consider deploying additional security layers such as web application firewalls or browser sandboxing solutions to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Network-based defenses can include filtering malicious domains and implementing content filtering solutions that detect and block known malicious JavaScript patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security practices and demonstrates the critical need for organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management programs. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or unexpected code execution behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as these indicators often precede successful compromise events.