CVE-2014-4077
Microsoft IME Japanese Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2014-4077 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) Japanese that allows attackers to bypass sandbox protections and gain elevated privileges on affected Windows systems. The vulnerability exists in IMJPDCT.EXE, a component of the Japanese IME that is included by default on Windows systems (though disabled by default). When Japanese IME is enabled, an attacker can exploit this flaw to escape the application sandbox and execute code in a privileged context. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2014-4077 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. With an EPSS percentile of 96.9%, this vulnerability is among the most likely to be actively exploited.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | office 2007 ime | sp3 |
| microsoft | windows 7 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2003 | - |
| microsoft | windows server 2008 | -; r2 |
| microsoft | windows vista | - |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2014/11/11/assessing-risk-for-the-november-2014-security-updates.aspx(Not Applicable, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031196(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031197(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2014/ms14-078(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-4077(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Since no specific CWE has been assigned to CVE-2014-4077, the underlying weakness type remains unspecified. The vulnerability involves a sandbox bypass in the Japanese IME component (IMJPDCT.EXE) that allows privilege escalation. This class of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient enforcement of security boundaries within the input method processing pipeline, enabling code to execute outside the intended restricted context.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2014-4077 allows attackers to bypass sandbox protections and perform privilege escalation on Windows systems where the Japanese IME is installed and enabled. Once the sandbox is bypassed, the attacker gains elevated execution privileges, potentially enabling full control over the affected system including access to sensitive data, credential theft, and installation of persistent malware. The vulnerability is particularly notable because the Japanese IME component is included by default on all Windows systems, even though it is disabled by default. Systems where Japanese language support has been enabled — common in multinational organizations and Japanese-market deployments — are directly at risk. The EPSS percentile of 96.9% reflects high real-world exploitation activity and places this vulnerability among the top priority targets for remediation.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2014-4077 by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of June 15, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 96.9% indicates that this vulnerability is in the top 4% of all CVEs in terms of exploitation likelihood. The sandbox bypass capability in a system-level input method component makes this a valuable exploit primitive for attackers seeking to escalate from limited application-level access to full system privileges on Windows endpoints.
Remediation
- Apply all available security updates from Microsoft that address CVE-2014-4077 as specified in the vendor advisory. CISA's required action is to apply updates per vendor instructions.
- If Japanese IME is not required, disable it on all affected systems through Windows language settings or group policy to eliminate the attack surface entirely.
- For systems that require Japanese IME, ensure they are fully patched and monitor for suspicious activity related to the IMJPDCT.EXE process.
- Implement application control policies that restrict execution of unnecessary input method components and monitor for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.
- Apply the principle of least privilege across all endpoints to limit the impact of any successful sandbox escape, ensuring that standard user accounts cannot perform administrative operations.
Technical Details
CVE-2014-4077 targets the IMJPDCT.EXE component of the Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) for Japanese, which is bundled with Windows operating systems. The IME is responsible for converting keyboard input into Japanese characters and runs with specific system privileges to integrate with the Windows input subsystem. The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit a flaw in how IMJPDCT.EXE handles certain operations, bypassing the sandbox that is intended to restrict the IME's ability to interact with privileged system resources. The sandbox escape enables code execution at an elevated privilege level, effectively converting limited application-level access into system-level control. No specific CWE was assigned, but the behavior is consistent with improper privilege management or insufficient boundary enforcement in system components that process untrusted input while running with elevated privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2014-4077 being actively exploited?
Yes, CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2014-4077 and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. The EPSS percentile of 96.9% indicates high exploitation probability. Organizations with Japanese IME enabled on Windows systems should prioritize patching immediately.
What products are affected by CVE-2014-4077?
CVE-2014-4077 affects the Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) for Japanese on Windows systems. The IME is included by default on Windows but must be enabled for the vulnerability to be exploitable. Systems where Japanese language input has been activated are directly at risk.
How do I fix CVE-2014-4077?
Apply Microsoft security updates that address CVE-2014-4077. If Japanese IME is not needed, disable it through Windows language settings to eliminate the attack surface. For systems that require Japanese IME, ensure they are fully patched and monitor for suspicious IMJPDCT.EXE activity.
How severe is CVE-2014-4077?
CVE-2014-4077 is a privilege escalation vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of 96.9%, confirming high exploitation likelihood. Its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog verifies real-world exploitation. The ability to bypass the sandbox and escalate privileges makes this a serious threat on systems with Japanese IME enabled.
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