CVE-2013-1307 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to a deleted object, aka "Internet Explorer Use After Free Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0811.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1307 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of memory corruption issues that have long plagued web browsers and operating systems. The specific flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes crafted web content that leads to the deletion of an object from memory while still maintaining references to it, creating a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Internet Explorer's rendering engine where objects are not properly tracked for reference counts or lifecycle management. When a web page contains malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger the deletion of an object in memory while other code paths still maintain pointers to that memory location, the browser enters an undefined state. This condition allows attackers to manipulate the freed memory location to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1307 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, or perform privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems running Internet Explorer 8 and 9, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments during 2013, making the attack surface particularly large. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its remote exploitability and the ease with which attackers can craft malicious web pages to trigger the condition. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks or mass exploitation campaigns.
Organizations and security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, browser hardening configurations, and network-based protections such as web application firewalls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through web browsers. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in memory management and the necessity of comprehensive testing for memory-related issues in complex software systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific flaw, particularly in legacy systems still running unsupported browser versions, as the exploitation window remains open for unpatched systems.