CVE-2014-2769 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 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-2014-1772, CVE-2014-1780, CVE-2014-1794, CVE-2014-1797, CVE-2014-1802, CVE-2014-2756, CVE-2014-2763, CVE-2014-2764, and CVE-2014-2771.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2769 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability, distinct from several other related vulnerabilities within the same year, specifically excluding CVE-2014-1772 through CVE-2014-2771. The flaw resides in how Internet Explorer handles memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed web pages. The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory Location" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" which involves leveraging vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2769 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can crash the affected browser applications. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios when processed by Internet Explorer's rendering engine. These crafted pages can exploit memory management flaws in the browser's handling of dynamic content, particularly when dealing with complex DOM manipulation or object instantiation. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios where users may inadvertently trigger the exploit. The memory corruption can manifest in various forms including heap corruption, stack overflow conditions, or use-after-free vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser.
Microsoft's vulnerability classification indicates this issue affects the browser's scripting engine and rendering components, specifically targeting memory management functions that handle dynamic object creation and destruction. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate memory pointers or overwrite critical data structures within the browser's memory space, potentially allowing privilege escalation attacks or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's characteristics align with the ATT&CK framework's T1059 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" where attackers leverage browser-based scripting languages to execute malicious payloads. Security researchers have noted that the exploit requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or encounter compromised web content. The vulnerability's presence in both Internet Explorer 10 and 11 versions means that organizations with legacy browser deployments face significant risk, particularly those that have not implemented proper security patches or browser updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2769 should include immediate implementation of Microsoft's security patches and updates to address the memory corruption issues in Internet Explorer. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through network-level controls. Security teams should consider deploying browser isolation solutions or using alternative browsers for sensitive operations. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through advanced techniques such as return-oriented programming or just-in-time compilation attacks that leverage the browser's memory management flaws. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack surfaces to identify potential exploitation vectors, with particular attention to legacy Internet Explorer installations that may not receive continued security support. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious web traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.