CVE-2014-2772 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2014-1769, CVE-2014-1782, CVE-2014-1785, CVE-2014-2753, CVE-2014-2755, CVE-2014-2760, CVE-2014-2761, and CVE-2014-2776.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2772 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory allocation and management during web page rendering processes. The flaw arises from improper validation of user-supplied data when processing certain web content, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute malicious code remotely. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2014-1769, CVE-2014-1782, and CVE-2014-1785, this particular issue manifests through distinct code paths within the browser's memory management subsystem, making it a separate but equally dangerous threat vector.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling routines. Attackers can construct malicious web pages containing malformed data structures or exploit specific browser rendering behaviors to cause memory corruption. This typically involves manipulating heap memory allocation patterns or triggering buffer overflows during object creation and manipulation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where system resources become exhausted or corrupted, rendering the browser unstable and potentially allowing further exploitation attempts. The flaw operates at the kernel level memory management interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass many traditional security boundaries and access system resources directly.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 11 remains widely deployed. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by convincing users to visit malicious websites, making it particularly effective for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. The memory corruption nature allows attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain full system control, especially when users run with elevated permissions. Organizations that have not implemented proper patch management procedures or have legacy systems running IE11 face heightened risk exposure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common patterns in memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense against this vulnerability including immediate patch deployment for affected systems, network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary features and implementing strict content security policies. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and browser isolation technologies to reduce attack surface. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should focus on identifying potentially vulnerable web applications and ensuring that all systems are properly patched. The vulnerability's impact underscores the importance of maintaining current security practices and having robust incident response procedures in place to quickly address any exploitation attempts.