CVE-2013-3206 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and 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-2013-3201, CVE-2013-3203, CVE-2013-3207, and CVE-2013-3209.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory structures during web page rendering processes, creating exploitable conditions that allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on victim systems. The flaw specifically impacts the browser's memory management mechanisms when processing certain web elements, leading to unpredictable memory state conditions that can be leveraged for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulating browser memory layout through crafted web content that triggers buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within Internet Explorer's rendering engine. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when loaded in the affected browsers, cause memory corruption that redirects execution flow to attacker-controlled code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category for out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 for out-of-bounds write conditions, representing fundamental memory safety issues in the browser's code execution environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer 9 and 10 remain in use, as these browsers were widely deployed in corporate networks during the affected period. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by enticing users to visit malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially enable lateral movement within networks and privilege escalation attacks when combined with other exploitation techniques.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the affected browser versions or applying Microsoft security patches as part of comprehensive vulnerability management programs. Organizations should also consider network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious sites. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures including browser hardening, user education, and regular security updates. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and anomalous browser behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts.