CVE-2014-2803 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 through 10 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 10 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements and data structures. The flaw manifests when the browser encounters specially crafted HTML or JavaScript content that triggers unexpected memory behavior, leading to potential code execution or system instability. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of memory corruption flaws that have plagued web browsers for decades. The attack vector requires a user to visit a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web hosting environments where users might unknowingly encounter the exploit. Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability can be leveraged to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms, making it particularly effective in targeted attacks. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of specific DOM elements or JavaScript objects, where the browser fails to properly validate input data before allocating or manipulating memory regions. This creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code or cause controlled crashes that can be exploited for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential information disclosure, system compromise, and complete loss of browser functionality. Organizations running these older browser versions face significant risk exposure given the widespread use of Internet Explorer in enterprise environments and the difficulty of patching legacy systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern web browsers and their susceptibility to memory-related flaws that can be exploited through seemingly benign web content. This issue contributed to the broader understanding of browser security and influenced subsequent development of more robust memory management practices in web rendering engines. The exploitation techniques associated with this vulnerability have been documented in various threat intelligence reports and have been incorporated into popular exploit frameworks, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity landscape. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was patched in Microsoft's regular security updates, but many organizations continue to operate vulnerable systems due to compatibility concerns or delayed patching processes. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the high-risk category of security issues that require immediate attention and remediation. Modern exploit development has evolved to target similar memory corruption patterns in newer browser versions, making this vulnerability a foundational example in understanding browser exploitation techniques. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting its role in the broader attack lifecycle. Organizations should implement layered security approaches including web application firewalls, browser hardening configurations, and user education to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping browser software updated and maintaining comprehensive patch management processes to protect against known exploits. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious web traffic patterns and anomalous browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability exemplifies why security professionals must consider both the technical implementation details and the operational context when assessing risk and developing mitigation strategies for browser-based threats. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability represent a fundamental challenge in web browser security that continues to influence modern security research and development practices.