CVE-2014-4137 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-2014-4133.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4137 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7 that enables remote code execution attacks through malicious web content. This vulnerability operates within the browser's memory management systems and specifically targets the way Internet Explorer handles certain memory operations during web page rendering and script execution. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted web content.
This memory corruption vulnerability manifests when Internet Explorer encounters malformed or specially constructed web elements that trigger improper memory handling during page processing. The flaw typically occurs in the browser's JavaScript engine or HTML rendering components where memory buffers are allocated, accessed, or deallocated without proper bounds checking. Attackers can exploit this by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in the vulnerable browser versions, causes memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the memory level, allowing attackers to bypass many traditional security controls and directly manipulate the browser's execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4137 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability can result in complete system takeover, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. The memory corruption can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to denial of service scenarios that disrupt user productivity and business operations. Organizations running these legacy browser versions face significant risk exposure as the vulnerability affects systems that are no longer receiving security updates from Microsoft, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The attack surface is broad as this vulnerability can be triggered through various web-based vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4137 should prioritize immediate browser upgrades to supported versions or implementation of network-based controls to block access to known malicious domains. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content filtering solutions, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted code and establish robust patch management processes to ensure all systems remain current with security updates. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack chain methodology, particularly focusing on initial access and privilege escalation phases where memory corruption vulnerabilities serve as critical attack vectors. According to common weakness enumeration standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that require comprehensive remediation approaches.