CVE-2013-5046 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows local users to bypass the Protected Mode protection mechanism, and consequently gain privileges, by leveraging the ability to execute sandboxed code, aka "Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5046 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 that directly undermines the operating system's core security protections. This vulnerability specifically targets the Protected Mode mechanism, which serves as a fundamental security barrier designed to isolate Internet Explorer processes from the underlying operating system resources. The flaw allows local attackers to escape the restricted sandbox environment that normally limits what malicious code can access or modify on the system. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and more specifically to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources. The attack vector leverages the fact that Internet Explorer's Protected Mode can be circumvented through the execution of sandboxed code, enabling threat actors to escalate their privileges from a restricted user context to full system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent design limitations within Internet Explorer's security model, particularly how it handles code execution within the sandboxed environment. When Internet Explorer operates in Protected Mode, it runs with reduced privileges and restricted access to system resources, typically through the use of a low-integrity process token. However, this vulnerability demonstrates that an attacker can manipulate the execution flow or exploit a code path that allows for privilege escalation even while running within the sandboxed context. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for code execution that bypasses the normal privilege boundaries established by the operating system's User Access Control and integrity level enforcement mechanisms. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the layered security approach that Microsoft implemented to protect users from malicious web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5046 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with a means to gain complete system control from a local user account. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, potentially enabling them to install malware, modify system files, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have varying levels of system access, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks that trick users into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Internet Explorer from version 7 through 11 means that organizations with legacy systems or those slow to patch can remain exposed to this attack vector for extended periods, increasing the attack surface and potential for successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with Microsoft releasing security updates that address the specific flaw in Protected Mode implementation. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures and ensure that all Internet Explorer installations are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary browser features, employing enhanced browser hardening techniques, and deploying application whitelisting solutions can provide defense-in-depth measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Network administrators should also consider implementing browser isolation solutions and monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how even well-established security mechanisms can be circumvented through sophisticated exploitation techniques that target the fundamental assumptions of the security model.