CVE-2014-6351 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11, categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, specifically when processing malformed or crafted HTML elements. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that triggers memory corruption during browser execution, potentially allowing remote code execution or system crashes. The flaw exists in the browser's JavaScript engine and HTML parser components, where insufficient bounds checking permits attackers to manipulate memory addresses and overwrite critical system structures. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling initial access through malicious web content and T1059 for command execution once the exploit succeeds. The memory corruption occurs when Internet Explorer attempts to process specially crafted JavaScript or HTML elements that cause the browser to allocate memory in unexpected ways, leading to heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability stems from improper validation of object sizes during dynamic memory allocation, particularly in the way the browser handles complex DOM structures and object references. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to full system compromise, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it affected multiple versions of Internet Explorer, creating a wide attack surface across various operating systems including Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2008. The exploit typically requires social engineering to convince users to visit malicious websites, making it particularly effective in phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer were vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that could bypass standard security measures, as the memory corruption occurred at the browser level rather than through network protocols. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that included improved memory management routines and enhanced bounds checking in the browser's rendering engine. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and demonstrates how memory corruption flaws in web browsers can provide attackers with powerful exploitation capabilities. Security professionals should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and network-based protections to mitigate the risk of exploitation, while also ensuring timely patch deployment across all affected systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical nature of memory safety in browser implementations and the potential consequences of insufficient input validation in complex software applications.