CVE-2013-0025 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to a deleted object, aka "Internet Explorer SLayoutRun Use After Free Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The CVE-2013-0025 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability specifically affects the SLayoutRun object within IE8's rendering engine, creating a scenario where memory management errors allow attackers to manipulate freed memory locations. The flaw occurs when IE8 processes crafted web pages that trigger the deletion of an object while still maintaining references to it, leading to potential exploitation by adversaries who can inject malicious code into the memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the browser's layout engine. When IE8 encounters specific HTML elements or JavaScript constructs, it creates SLayoutRun objects that handle text rendering and layout calculations. During normal operation, these objects are properly managed through reference counting and garbage collection mechanisms. However, under certain conditions involving complex page structures and specific rendering scenarios, the browser fails to properly invalidate object references, allowing a freed memory location to remain accessible. This memory corruption scenario provides attackers with the opportunity to overwrite critical memory regions with malicious code, effectively bypassing modern security protections.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where IE8 remains in use, particularly in legacy systems that have not been migrated to newer browser versions. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by having users visit malicious websites, making this vulnerability highly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that can be reliably exploited across different system configurations, especially in environments with default security settings. Organizations running IE8 on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 systems face particularly high risk due to the lack of modern security mitigations such as DEP, ASLR, and stack canaries that are typically present in newer operating systems.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management. The exploitability of CVE-2013-0025 aligns with techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage browser-based attacks to establish initial access and potentially escalate privileges. Microsoft's vulnerability assessment indicates that the flaw exists in the browser's HTML parsing and rendering components, specifically within the layout engine that processes complex document structures. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign web content can be weaponized to exploit fundamental memory safety issues, highlighting the importance of proper memory management in client-side applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0025 require immediate action including applying Microsoft's security patches, which address the underlying memory management issues in IE8's rendering engine. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using enhanced security configurations. Network-based protections including web application firewalls and proxy servers can help filter malicious content before it reaches vulnerable systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated. Given that IE8 reached end-of-life support, organizations should prioritize migration to modern browser versions that include comprehensive security mitigations and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.