CVE-2014-4095 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2014-4087, CVE-2014-4096, and CVE-2014-4101.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 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 operations during web page rendering and processing, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute malicious code on vulnerable systems. The flaw represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to target systems through web-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Internet Explorer's rendering engine, where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize memory allocations when processing specially crafted web content. This memory corruption occurs during the execution of JavaScript or other web technologies, allowing attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute malicious instructions with the privileges of the affected browser process. The vulnerability operates at a low-level system interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This type of flaw typically falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft. Attackers can leverage this weakness to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems that include Internet Explorer 11, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy browsers may still be in use. Organizations running these affected versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites. The memory corruption aspect also means that systems may experience unexpected crashes or hangs, leading to denial of service conditions that can disrupt business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the Microsoft security update released to address this specific flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating Internet Explorer 11 to the latest version that includes the necessary security fixes and consider implementing browser isolation techniques to reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also deploy network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromises. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through malicious websites and execution through code injection techniques, making it important for security teams to monitor for these specific attack patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, restricting JavaScript execution, and using security software that can detect and block malicious web content before it can be processed by the vulnerable browser engine.