CVE-2013-3208 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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."
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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 8 through 10 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web content, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the browser's memory space. The flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters malformed or maliciously constructed web pages that trigger buffer overflows or other memory management errors during rendering processes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common precursors to memory corruption exploits. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Internet Explorer 8 through 10 were widely deployed across enterprise environments and consumer systems during 2013, making this vulnerability a prime target for nation-state actors and cybercriminals seeking to compromise systems through web-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the browser's memory management subsystem, particularly during JavaScript execution and object manipulation phases. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, cause memory corruption through improper bounds checking or uninitialized memory access. The memory corruption typically occurs in the browser's rendering engine or JavaScript engine where objects are allocated and manipulated in memory. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation for execution through the manipulation of memory structures and object handling. The flaw allows attackers to either execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user or cause the browser to crash through controlled memory corruption, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass widespread system compromise and enterprise risk. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer face significant exposure since these browsers were often used for business-critical applications and web-based services. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through standard web browsing activities, requiring no special privileges or local access to compromise systems. Security researchers have documented numerous real-world exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in spear-phishing campaigns and zero-day attack scenarios. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Internet Explorer created a large attack surface that required comprehensive patch management across enterprise environments. Additionally, the memory corruption nature of the flaw makes it particularly challenging to detect through traditional network monitoring, as the malicious activity may appear as normal web browsing until the exploit is triggered.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment and comprehensive browser security measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the memory corruption issues in Internet Explorer 8 through 10, but organizations needed to ensure timely deployment across all affected systems. The recommended approach includes implementing browser hardening techniques such as disabling unnecessary browser features, enabling enhanced security measures, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content before it reaches vulnerable browsers. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Internet Explorer versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of protection against web-based attacks. Regular security awareness training for users about safe browsing practices and the dangers of visiting untrusted websites remains crucial in mitigating the risk posed by such memory corruption vulnerabilities.