CVE-2014-3192 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the ProcessingInstruction::setXSLStyleSheet function in core/dom/ProcessingInstruction.cpp in the DOM implementation in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 38.0.2125.101, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2022
The CVE-2014-3192 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine's DOM implementation, specifically affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 38.0.2125.101. This vulnerability resides in the ProcessingInstruction::setXSLStyleSheet function located in core/dom/ProcessingInstruction.cpp, making it a fundamental component of the browser's document object model handling. The flaw occurs when the processing instruction's XSL stylesheet is manipulated in a manner that leaves memory references in an invalid state, creating opportunities for exploitation that extend beyond simple denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability classifies it under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where program memory is accessed after it has been freed. In the context of Blink's DOM implementation, this occurs when the ProcessingInstruction object manages XSL stylesheet references without proper validation of memory states. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate DOM elements through carefully crafted XSLT transformations that trigger memory corruption during the setXSLStyleSheet function execution, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as indicated by the "possibly have unspecified other impact" description in the CVE. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code within the browser context, potentially compromising user sessions, accessing sensitive data, or escalating privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users may encounter malicious content through compromised websites or phishing attacks. The use-after-free condition creates a memory corruption landscape where attackers can manipulate heap memory structures to redirect execution flow or inject malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3192 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 38.0.2125.101 and later, which contain patches addressing the memory management issues in the ProcessingInstruction::setXSLStyleSheet function. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include browser hardening configurations, content security policies, and web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XSLT processing patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as exploitation may involve injection of malicious XSLT code that leverages the browser's processing capabilities to execute unintended operations within the victim's environment. Security monitoring should focus on anomalous DOM manipulation patterns and unexpected memory access behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where users interact with untrusted web content.