CVE-2014-4093 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4084.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of memory management during web page rendering processes, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by visiting a compromised website. The flaw represents a distinct issue from CVE-2014-4084, indicating separate code paths or memory handling mechanisms within the browser's architecture that both present security risks to users. The vulnerability operates at the core level of Internet Explorer's memory management, where improper bounds checking or memory allocation practices allow attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that can lead to code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires a user to navigate to a malicious website that contains specially crafted content designed to exploit the memory handling flaw in IE10's rendering engine. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as attackers can potentially leverage the memory corruption to escalate privileges, install malware, or cause persistent system instability. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves manipulating JavaScript or ActiveX components that interact with memory structures, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious code into the browser process. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code within the target system. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be used to bypass security mechanisms like DEP (Data Execution Prevention) or ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) that are designed to prevent code execution in non-executable memory regions. Organizations using Internet Explorer 10 should prioritize immediate patching and implement additional security measures such as browser isolation, content filtering, and user education to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in web browser security where complex rendering engines and memory management systems create numerous potential attack surfaces that can be exploited by sophisticated adversaries. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly unusual memory access patterns or unexpected browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The flaw highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing layered defense strategies that can protect against both known and unknown vulnerabilities in web browser environments.