CVE-2014-6353 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 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
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 10 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted web content. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements and data structures. The flaw manifests when the browser encounters specially crafted HTML or JavaScript content that triggers unexpected memory allocation patterns or buffer overflows during page rendering. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious websites that, when visited by unsuspecting users, would automatically exploit the memory corruption issue. The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability posed significant risks as Internet Explorer remained widely deployed across enterprise environments and personal computing platforms, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user systems. The exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, system control, or further network infiltration. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer faced substantial risk exposure since the vulnerability could be exploited through simple web browsing activities, requiring no special user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software to gain unauthorized access or execute code, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters used for execution. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that patched the memory handling routines in affected browser versions, requiring users to apply the relevant security patches to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability highlighted the critical importance of keeping browser software up to date and demonstrated how memory corruption flaws could serve as primary attack vectors in modern cyber warfare campaigns. Organizations needed to implement comprehensive patch management processes and consider alternative browser solutions to reduce exposure to similar vulnerabilities in the future. This particular flaw underscored the ongoing challenges in securing complex software applications where memory management errors could provide attackers with direct pathways to system compromise, emphasizing the need for robust code review practices and memory safety mechanisms in browser development processes.