CVE-2014-4133 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and 7 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-2014-4137.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4133 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability operates at the core of browser security architecture and demonstrates the persistent risks associated with legacy browser implementations that have been superseded by modern security standards. The flaw specifically affects Internet Explorer 6 and 7, which were discontinued by Microsoft in 2014 and 2015 respectively, yet continued to pose significant security risks in enterprise environments where legacy applications remained in use.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves improper memory handling during web page rendering processes, creating conditions where maliciously crafted web content can trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. When Internet Explorer processes specially designed HTML elements or JavaScript code, the browser's memory management routines fail to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4133 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data breaches, particularly in environments where legacy Internet Explorer versions remain operational. Organizations running these outdated browsers face heightened risk of targeted attacks, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a reliable method to gain unauthorized access to systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in corporate networks where older browsers may be used for legacy application compatibility, creating attack vectors that can be leveraged to compromise entire network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4133 must prioritize immediate browser upgrades to supported versions, as Microsoft has officially discontinued support for Internet Explorer 6 and 7, eliminating security updates and patches. Organizations should implement browser lockdown policies that restrict access to potentially malicious websites and disable unnecessary browser features that could exacerbate the vulnerability. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious process behavior indicative of memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software implementations and the dangers of operating unsupported browser versions in production environments, as these legacy systems remain attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking to exploit known vulnerabilities.