CVE-2014-4083 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-2014-2799, CVE-2014-4059, CVE-2014-4065, CVE-2014-4079, CVE-2014-4081, CVE-2014-4085, CVE-2014-4088, CVE-2014-4090, CVE-2014-4094, CVE-2014-4097, CVE-2014-4100, CVE-2014-4103, CVE-2014-4104, CVE-2014-4105, CVE-2014-4106, CVE-2014-4107, CVE-2014-4108, CVE-2014-4109, CVE-2014-4110, and CVE-2014-4111.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer spanning versions 6 through 11, which enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory structures during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw is categorized under common weakness enumeration CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious web pages that trigger the memory corruption during normal browsing operations, potentially allowing full system compromise without user interaction in many scenarios.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2014-4083 occurs when Internet Explorer processes specially crafted HTML or JavaScript content that causes memory corruption in the browser's memory management subsystem. This memory corruption can manifest as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, ultimately enabling code execution with the privileges of the compromised browser process. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, including legacy versions that many organizations continue to support, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments. According to the attack pattern taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can crash the browser or render systems unstable. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk as attackers can craft sophisticated exploits that bypass modern security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Security researchers have documented numerous real-world exploitation attempts leveraging similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, demonstrating the practical threat this vulnerability poses to enterprise security. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the broader context of software security flaws that require comprehensive mitigation strategies including browser updates, network security controls, and user education initiatives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4083 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed through official Microsoft security bulletins. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict security zones, and configuring enhanced protection modes can reduce exploitation success rates. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous browser behavior or memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact on legacy Internet Explorer versions underscores the importance of enterprise-wide browser migration strategies to modern, supported browsers that receive regular security updates and do not carry the same legacy vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious web content and avoid visiting compromised websites.