CVE-2013-0090 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to a deleted object, aka "Internet Explorer CCaret Use After Free Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The CVE-2013-0090 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 10 that fundamentally compromises the browser's memory management integrity. This vulnerability specifically affects the CCaret component within Internet Explorer's rendering engine, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate memory pointers to execute arbitrary code remotely. The flaw occurs when the browser processes malicious web content that triggers a race condition between object deletion and subsequent memory access, allowing attackers to exploit this temporal gap for code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as memory safety issues where freed memory is accessed after deallocation. This particular vulnerability operates within the context of Internet Explorer's COM (Component Object Model) architecture, specifically targeting the CCaret class responsible for caret positioning and text manipulation within web documents. The flaw manifests when the browser's JavaScript engine processes certain DOM (Document Object Model) operations that result in premature object destruction while other code paths still reference the freed memory location.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat vector for remote code execution attacks, as it requires no local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The exploit typically involves crafting a web page that triggers the specific memory management scenario, often through complex DOM manipulation sequences that cause the CCaret object to be freed while JavaScript code continues to reference it. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the Internet Explorer process, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent access.
The impact of CVE-2013-0090 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a fundamental flaw in Microsoft's memory management practices within the browser environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures and the challenges of maintaining memory safety in complex software systems. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face substantial risk exposure, particularly in environments where Internet Explorer 6 through 10 remain in use, as these older browser versions continue to be targeted by threat actors seeking to exploit known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as successful exploitation typically enables attackers to execute commands and potentially escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor provided comprehensive fixes for all affected Internet Explorer versions. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying enhanced browser isolation techniques. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though the most effective approach remains comprehensive patch management and browser migration to supported versions. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar memory safety issues in other browser components and software applications.