CVE-2014-2759 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-2014-1784, CVE-2014-1786, CVE-2014-1795, CVE-2014-1805, CVE-2014-2758, CVE-2014-2765, CVE-2014-2766, and CVE-2014-2775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2025
The CVE-2014-2759 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11, exposing users to significant remote code execution and denial of service risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through maliciously crafted web content. The flaw operates at the core level of the browser's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction once a victim visits an infected website. This vulnerability is distinct from several other related issues in the same timeframe, indicating a unique code path or memory handling mechanism that was not properly secured against malicious input.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking and memory allocation practices within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft specific web pages containing malicious scripts or data structures that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory manipulation techniques when the browser processes the content. The vulnerability typically manifests when the browser encounters specially designed HTML elements, JavaScript code, or embedded objects that cause the memory management system to behave unpredictably. These conditions can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the user's privileges or cause the browser to crash and terminate unexpectedly, resulting in denial of service. The exploitation often leverages the browser's interaction with memory pools and object allocation routines that are not adequately protected against malformed input.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2759 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete system control when combined with other attack vectors or when targeting systems with lower security configurations. The vulnerability affects users across multiple Windows operating systems that include the affected Internet Explorer versions, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike. Organizations running legacy systems or those that have not implemented timely security updates face particular risk, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for persistent access, data exfiltration, or as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target victims from anywhere on the internet, requiring no physical access or special privileges to initiate the attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2759 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism, since the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the browser's memory management that cannot be adequately protected through configuration changes alone. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content filtering, and using security extensions or toolbars that can detect and block malicious content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for known exploit patterns and anomalous traffic behavior. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree methodology, particularly those involving client-side exploitation and memory corruption techniques that are commonly classified under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories, making it a typical example of how browser-based memory corruption vulnerabilities can be leveraged for unauthorized system access.