CVE-2014-8985 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-2810, CVE-2014-2811, CVE-2014-2822, CVE-2014-2823, CVE-2014-4057, and CVE-2014-4145.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue arises from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering, specifically when processing crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious websites that trigger memory corruption during browser operations, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the browser context without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting the compromised website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within Internet Explorer's rendering engine. When the browser encounters specially crafted web content, it fails to properly validate memory allocations or handle object references, leading to buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. These memory corruption issues can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, redirect program execution flow, or inject malicious code into the browser process. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. The attack surface is broad since it affects any user who visits a compromised website while using Internet Explorer 11, regardless of their security awareness or system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data theft. Successful exploitation can result in full system control, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's persistence across different attack vectors makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple users may access the same compromised websites. Organizations face significant risk of lateral movement within their networks if attackers use this vulnerability to gain initial access, as the compromised browser session can provide a foothold for broader network infiltration. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage compromised browser sessions to maintain access and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the company released specific fixes for Internet Explorer 11 to address the memory corruption issues. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using security extensions that can detect and block malicious web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. User education remains crucial as attackers often rely on social engineering to deliver malicious content, making awareness training essential for reducing successful exploitation rates. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual browser behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for incident response teams to investigate potential compromises.