CVE-2014-2773 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 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-2014-2768.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2773 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects legacy browser versions that were widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2010s, creating significant security risks for organizations that had not yet migrated to modern browser platforms. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes malformed web content, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates through improper handling of specially crafted web content that triggers buffer overflows or heap corruption within the browser's memory management systems. The technical implementation involves the exploitation of memory layout issues in Internet Explorer's rendering engine, where attackers can manipulate object references and memory pointers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, though the actual exploitation typically involves more complex memory corruption patterns that can bypass modern security mitigations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2773 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include comprehensive system compromise capabilities that align with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face substantial risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability's exploitation often requires user interaction through malicious web pages, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering can be combined with the technical exploit to achieve complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate browser upgrades to supported versions, as Microsoft has long since ended support for Internet Explorer 6 through 8. Organizations must implement network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious web content targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why organizations must maintain comprehensive patch management processes and why legacy system support should be carefully evaluated against ongoing security risks. Security teams should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and sandboxing measures to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring for indicators of compromise that may signal successful exploitation attempts.