CVE-2013-3117 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 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-2013-3122 and CVE-2013-3124.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The issue arises from improper handling of memory structures when processing crafted web content, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code into the target system. The vulnerability is distinct from related issues CVE-2013-3122 and CVE-2013-3124, indicating separate code paths and exploitation vectors. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory segments, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the compromised browser process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Internet Explorer's rendering engine failing to properly validate memory allocations when processing malformed web content. Attackers can craft malicious websites containing specially designed HTML elements, JavaScript code, or embedded objects that trigger the memory corruption during normal browsing operations. This flaw typically manifests when the browser attempts to parse and render complex web elements, particularly those involving dynamic content generation or memory-intensive operations. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web pages that users might inadvertently visit.
From an operational impact standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 9 remains in use, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges. The remote code execution capability means that successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, data theft, or establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations running legacy systems or those unable to immediately patch may face severe security implications. The denial of service component further compounds the risk by potentially disrupting legitimate business operations through browser crashes or system instability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as well as implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and browser isolation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of users visiting malicious websites. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content filtering policies, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how legacy software can create persistent attack surfaces that require continuous vigilance and proactive security management.