CVE-2014-6375 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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 • 03/01/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service when users visit malicious websites. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer processes certain web content structures. The flaw exists in the way the browser manages memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code directly within the browser context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple web navigation without requiring any additional user interaction beyond visiting the compromised website.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability involves manipulation of memory addresses through crafted web content that exploits buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within Internet Explorer's memory management subsystem. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, cause memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of certain object types and memory structures during page rendering, allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations and redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. When exploited, the vulnerability can allow attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or persistent access through backdoor installation. The memory corruption can also cause browser crashes or system instability, resulting in denial of service for legitimate users. Organizations running Internet Explorer 8 are particularly vulnerable since this browser version lacks modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention that are standard in newer browser versions. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems where Internet Explorer 8 is installed, with the risk being highest on systems that do not have automatic security updates enabled or that have not received the relevant Microsoft security patches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and browser migration. Microsoft released security updates for this vulnerability through the Microsoft Security Response Center, and organizations should implement these patches immediately. System administrators should consider migrating users from Internet Explorer 8 to newer browser versions that have enhanced security features and better memory management practices. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling unnecessary browser features, and configuring security settings to limit memory access permissions. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against memory corruption exploits that have been a persistent threat in browser-based attacks.