CVE-2013-3885 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 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-2013-3872, CVE-2013-3873, and CVE-2013-3882.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The issue arises from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer 10 running on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8 operating systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed web pages that trigger memory corruption when the browser attempts to process certain HTML elements or JavaScript code. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when the browser's memory management routines fail to properly validate input data before processing. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and potentially CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write" as it involves improper memory handling that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires a user to visit a malicious website, making it a typical web-based exploit that leverages social engineering tactics to deliver the malicious payload. The vulnerability impacts the browser's rendering engine and can potentially be used to bypass security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. From an operational standpoint, this flaw represents a significant risk to organizations as it allows attackers to gain full system compromise without requiring local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption occurs during normal browsing activities, making detection difficult and increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer 10 are particularly vulnerable as the flaw affects the core browser functionality that millions of users depend on for daily operations. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it can be delivered through standard web traffic without requiring specialized tools or conditions. The memory corruption affects the browser's ability to properly manage allocated memory blocks, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack scenarios that may bypass modern security controls. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the vulnerability can be used to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that modify the browser's memory management routines to properly validate and handle memory allocation requests. The mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and the implementation of additional browser security measures such as enhanced sandboxing and restricted browsing environments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in browser security and the importance of regular security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of browser components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all systems. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability align with common exploitation patterns seen in advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers target browser vulnerabilities to establish initial access into target networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of browser-based attack surfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other applications or systems. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious browser behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of timely patch management and the need for layered security approaches that protect against both known and emerging threats in the browser environment.