CVE-2013-3113 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 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-2013-3112, CVE-2013-3121, CVE-2013-3139, and CVE-2013-3142.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 10 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, specifically affecting how the browser manages dynamic memory allocation and deallocation when processing crafted HTML elements. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters specially constructed web content that triggers buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions in the browser's memory management subsystem. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write" in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, indicating the presence of memory safety issues that can be exploited by attackers. The attack vector requires a user to visit a malicious website or view a maliciously crafted email attachment that contains embedded malicious code, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability affects the browser's JavaScript engine and rendering components, particularly impacting the way Internet Explorer handles complex web page structures and dynamic content updates. Security researchers have identified this as a sophisticated memory corruption vulnerability that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-on user, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include complete system takeover, as demonstrated by various exploit kits that have been developed to target this specific flaw. The memory corruption occurs in the browser's memory management layer, specifically affecting the heap allocation and deallocation processes that are fundamental to web page rendering operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of Internet Explorer, including older versions that may still be in use within enterprise environments where legacy system support is required. The exploitation techniques typically involve crafting web content that forces the browser into a state where memory corruption occurs, often through manipulation of DOM elements, JavaScript objects, or ActiveX controls. The vulnerability's classification within the ATT&CK framework places it under the T1059.007 technique category, specifically targeting application layer attacks through scripting languages. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk exposure, as the flaw can be exploited without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it an ideal candidate for automated exploitation campaigns. The memory corruption behavior allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious code that has been injected into the browser's memory space. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability through their regular security update cycle, but many organizations failed to deploy these updates promptly, leaving systems vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple IE versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the browser's memory management architecture that required comprehensive code review and architectural changes to address properly. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of how memory safety issues in widely used software can create significant security risks for entire user populations. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact on enterprise security environments is substantial, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to corporate networks through compromised user endpoints. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular patch deployment, network monitoring for exploitation attempts, and user education to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The memory corruption characteristics of this vulnerability make it particularly resistant to traditional security controls, as it can bypass many standard network-based defenses through its ability to execute code directly within the browser's memory space. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in browser implementations and the need for robust security testing during software development lifecycle processes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where attackers can leverage the flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.