CVE-2013-3164 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3164 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 that enables remote code execution and denial of service attacks through malicious web content. This vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer 8 running on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 systems. The flaw arises from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which is a common precursor to memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 8 remains in use, as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The attack vector leverages the browser's rendering engine to trigger memory corruption through crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code that manipulates object references beyond their allocated memory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2013-3164 typically involves crafting a malicious web page that triggers a specific memory corruption pattern within Internet Explorer's JavaScript engine or rendering components. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute shellcode directly in the browser context, potentially bypassing security mechanisms such as Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization. The memory corruption occurs when the browser processes malformed web content that causes heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory structures or inject malicious code into the browser process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on compromised systems. The flaw particularly affects the browser's handling of dynamic object creation and memory management during page rendering, making it challenging to detect through traditional network-based security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3164 extends beyond immediate exploitation to encompass long-term security implications for affected organizations. Once successfully exploited, attackers can establish persistent access to compromised systems, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service means that even if exploitation fails, organizations may experience system instability or browser crashes that disrupt normal business operations. Organizations running Internet Explorer 8 are particularly vulnerable because this browser version lacks many modern security mitigations that were introduced in later versions, including improved memory protection mechanisms and enhanced sandboxing features. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security approaches, as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns that direct users to malicious websites containing the exploit code. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during 2013, making it a critical priority for remediation in environments where legacy browser support remains necessary. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security update MS13-069, which patched the memory corruption issue in Internet Explorer 8 and required immediate deployment across affected systems to prevent successful exploitation attempts.