CVE-2014-4051 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 through 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-2014-2784.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11, classified under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing crafted web content that triggers buffer overflows or invalid memory access patterns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected IE versions, cause the browser to allocate or access memory beyond its intended boundaries. The flaw manifests as either arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where legacy IE versions remain in use.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2014-4051 leverages the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering pipeline to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted web content. This includes malformed HTML elements, JavaScript code, or ActiveX controls that trigger memory corruption during page rendering or script execution. The vulnerability operates at the kernel or user-mode level depending on the specific exploitation technique, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for execution and T1489 for denial of service. The attack typically requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website, making it susceptible to social engineering campaigns and phishing attacks that target specific user groups.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it affects organizations with legacy IE deployments that cannot be immediately updated due to application compatibility concerns or administrative constraints. The memory corruption can lead to browser crashes, system instability, or complete system compromise when attackers leverage additional techniques such as heap spraying or return-oriented programming to achieve code execution. Organizations running unpatched IE versions face significant risk of persistent threats, lateral movement within networks, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can compromise systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments with limited network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, implementation of browser security controls such as IE Enhanced Security Configuration, and network-level protections like web application firewalls. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce susceptibility to phishing attacks that leverage this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content filtering policies, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify malicious domains associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current security patches and the risks associated with prolonged use of legacy software components that may contain unpatched security flaws.