CVE-2014-4103 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-2014-4083, CVE-2014-4085, CVE-2014-4088, CVE-2014-4090, CVE-2014-4094, CVE-2014-4097, CVE-2014-4100, 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 • 12/22/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during web page rendering, specifically when processing certain JavaScript objects or DOM elements. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path, leading to arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The flaw exists in the browser's memory management subsystem where insufficient bounds checking occurs during object allocation and manipulation processes. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, though it manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The attack vector requires user interaction through a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can execute malicious code through browser-based attacks. The memory corruption occurs when Internet Explorer attempts to process malformed JavaScript constructs or when manipulating DOM elements in ways that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability affects all versions from IE6 through IE11, representing a broad attack surface that spans over a decade of browser versions. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where system resources become exhausted or corrupted. The exploitation requires sophisticated techniques to achieve reliable remote code execution, often involving memory layout manipulation and heap spraying attacks. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it could be triggered through legitimate web browsing activities without requiring special user actions beyond visiting a malicious site. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental issue in how Internet Explorer handles dynamic memory allocation for web content processing, where the browser fails to properly validate input data before storing it in memory. Organizations running older versions of Internet Explorer face heightened risk due to the extended support timeline and the widespread deployment of these vulnerable browser versions. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves creating specific memory conditions that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that included improved memory validation routines and enhanced bounds checking mechanisms. The remediation process requires users to install the latest security patches and updates, though many organizations may have legacy systems that cannot be easily updated. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of how memory safety issues in web browsers can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and memory management in client-side applications. The widespread deployment of vulnerable Internet Explorer versions made this vulnerability particularly impactful, as it affected users across multiple operating system versions and deployment scenarios. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common attack patterns described in the OWASP Top 10, specifically addressing issues related to injection flaws and memory corruption vulnerabilities in web applications. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader browser security assessments, particularly when evaluating legacy system support and risk mitigation strategies. The exploitation techniques developed for this vulnerability have influenced subsequent research into browser-based attack vectors and memory corruption exploitation methods. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including browser hardening, network segmentation, and user education to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue highlights the need for robust memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications handling untrusted input data. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of regular security updates and the potential consequences of running outdated software versions in enterprise environments. The vulnerability's impact on Internet Explorer's memory management underscores the complexity of modern web browsers and their susceptibility to sophisticated exploitation techniques.