CVE-2014-4063 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 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-2014-2774, CVE-2014-2820, CVE-2014-2826, and CVE-2014-2827.
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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 6 through 11, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-125: Uninitialized Memory Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write. The vulnerability arises from improper memory handling when processing crafted web content, specifically targeting the browser's memory management systems during object creation and manipulation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger specific memory corruption conditions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to target systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption patterns that occur when Internet Explorer processes malformed or specially crafted HTML elements, JavaScript code, or ActiveX controls. The memory corruption typically manifests through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or heap corruption scenarios that occur during the browser's rendering engine operations. When a user visits an attacker-controlled website, the malicious code triggers the vulnerable memory handling routines, causing the browser to execute unintended operations or allocate memory in unexpected ways. This vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4063 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation can result in complete system control, allowing attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all supported versions of Internet Explorer, making it particularly concerning for organizations with legacy systems or those unable to immediately patch their environments. Organizations running older versions of Windows or those that have not implemented timely security updates face significant exposure risks, as this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during 2014. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that even partial exploitation could lead to system instability and potential data loss, making it a high-priority remediation target.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, as Microsoft released security updates addressing the specific memory corruption issues. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as browser isolation techniques, web application firewalls, and content filtering solutions to reduce exposure to malicious web content. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures like application whitelisting, sandboxing browser processes, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining updated security software, while organizations should consider implementing browser hardening configurations that disable potentially dangerous features like ActiveX controls and scripting capabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered defensive strategies to protect against sophisticated browser-based attacks.