CVE-2013-3141 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and 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-2013-3110.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically affects how Internet Explorer processes certain web elements, particularly those involving dynamic content generation and object manipulation. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" which are common indicators of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. The attack vector involves a remote malicious website that, when loaded in Internet Explorer, triggers the vulnerable code path through crafted HTML elements or JavaScript execution. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's rendering engine to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious instructions. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to run code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter" which describes how attackers can leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of web content, specifically when Internet Explorer attempts to manage memory for dynamic objects and DOM elements. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that force the browser into allocating memory in ways that create exploitable conditions, often involving heap spraying techniques or object manipulation that leads to memory overwrite conditions. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems with Internet Explorer 8 or 9 installed, making it particularly relevant in enterprise environments where legacy browser support was still common. Organizations using older Windows versions and browsers remain at risk even when other security measures are in place, as this vulnerability operates at the browser level rather than through network protocols or system services. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of affected systems, along with browser security updates and potentially browser isolation techniques. Security professionals should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to known malicious sites. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of browser sandboxing and privilege separation techniques, as described in various security frameworks that recommend isolating browser processes from system-level privileges. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the risks of visiting untrusted websites remains crucial in mitigating the impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and disabling unnecessary browser features that could contribute to the exploitation vector. The broader implications of this vulnerability underscore the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can quickly identify and remediate similar flaws across all browser versions and operating systems. This type of memory corruption vulnerability typically requires advanced exploitation techniques and often involves multiple steps in the attack chain, making it a sophisticated target for nation-state actors and advanced persistent threat groups. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the highest severity category according to standard risk assessment methodologies, requiring immediate attention from security teams and system administrators.