CVE-2013-3897
Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2013-3897 is a HIGH vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer, carrying a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8. A use-after-free vulnerability exists within CDisplayPointer in Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. The flaw is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free). In a typical attack scenario, an attacker would host a specially crafted web page or deliver a malicious link via phishing, and exploitation occurs when the victim navigates to the attacker-controlled content using the vulnerable browser. This CVE is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. With an EPSS score of 0.90548 (99.61th percentile), this vulnerability exhibits substantial real-world exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | internet explorer | 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/10/08/ms13-080-addresses-two-vulnerabilities-under-limited-targeted-attacks.aspx(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-288A(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-080(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A18989(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-3897(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-416: Use After Free
CVE-2013-3897 is classified under CWE-416 — Use After Free. Use After Free (UAF) is a vulnerability that occurs when software continues to use a pointer after the memory it references has been freed. Once memory is freed, it may be reallocated for other purposes. If the dangling pointer is subsequently dereferenced, the program may read or write to memory now used for different data structures, leading to data corruption, information disclosure, or code execution. Use-after-free vulnerabilities are particularly prevalent in complex applications with manual memory management, including browsers, document parsers, and operating system kernels.
In the context of Microsoft Internet Explorer, this weakness class is particularly concerning because the product is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments. Use-after-free vulnerabilities are highly exploitable and consistently rank among the most dangerous software weaknesses. Attackers leverage heap manipulation techniques to control what data occupies the freed memory when the dangling pointer is dereferenced. By placing attacker-controlled objects (containing function pointers or vtables) in the freed space, code execution is achieved when the stale pointer is used. Browsers are frequent targets due to complex JavaScript/DOM interactions that create race conditions and memory management errors. UAF bugs have enabled numerous browser-based attacks, privilege escalation exploits, and malware campaigns. Organizations using affected versions should understand that this weakness class frequently enables reliable exploitation paths that threat actors actively leverage in both targeted and opportunistic attacks.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2013-3897 carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (HIGH) with the following impact characteristics.
Confidentiality (HIGH): An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to all data accessible by the affected component. In the context of Microsoft Internet Explorer, this can include sensitive configuration data, user credentials, proprietary business information, and any data the application processes or stores.
Integrity (HIGH): Successful exploitation enables an attacker to modify, corrupt, or destroy data within the affected system. This includes the potential to tamper with system files, install backdoors or persistent malware, alter critical configurations, and manipulate application logic to serve malicious purposes.
Availability (HIGH): The vulnerability can be exploited to cause complete denial of service, rendering the affected system or application unavailable to legitimate users. System crashes, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion may persist until manual administrative intervention restores normal operation.
Scope (Unchanged): The exploitation impact is contained within the security scope of the vulnerable component itself. While the damage within that scope can be severe with full compromise of the affected application, lateral impact on other systems requires additional exploitation steps.
With an EPSS score of 0.90548 (99.61th percentile), this vulnerability ranks among the most likely to be exploited in the wild, placing it well above the vast majority of all cataloged vulnerabilities in terms of real-world exploitation activity.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2013-3897 demonstrates significant exploit maturity with confirmed active exploitation in the wild.
Active exploitation: This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming that it has been observed being actively exploited by threat actors. The KEV designation mandates federal agencies to apply remediation within a defined timeframe and serves as a strong signal of real-world risk.
Ransomware association: As of the current KEV catalog data, no direct ransomware association has been confirmed for CVE-2013-3897. However, the vulnerability's characteristics and confirmed exploitation in the wild mean it remains a viable vector for various threat actors including cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat groups.
Exploit availability: While specific public exploit code references were not identified in the NVD data, the vulnerability's inclusion in the KEV catalog confirms real-world exploitation. Threat intelligence sources and underground forums may host exploit tools not captured in public databases.
KEV remediation deadline: CISA set a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24 for federal agencies, underscoring the urgency of patching. Organizations beyond the federal sector should treat this deadline as a strong indicator of the risk level and prioritize remediation accordingly.
Remediation
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Apply vendor-provided security patches immediately. Apply updates per vendor instructions. Consult the official security advisory for specific patch versions and deployment guidance.
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Verify affected product versions in your environment. Affected products include: Internet Explorer (6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11). Conduct an inventory of all instances across your organization to ensure comprehensive patch coverage and prevent any unpatched systems from remaining exposed.
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Implement interim mitigations if immediate patching is not feasible. Restrict network access to the affected service using firewall rules and access control lists. Limit exposure to trusted networks only and monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns targeting the vulnerable service.
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Enable enhanced monitoring and detection. Configure intrusion detection systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2013-3897. Review security logs for indicators of compromise and establish alerting for anomalous behavior on systems running affected software.
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Conduct a post-patch vulnerability assessment. After applying patches, verify that the remediation was effective by running vulnerability scans against all previously affected systems. Confirm the vulnerability is no longer present and ensure no instances were missed during deployment.
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Review and update incident response procedures. Ensure your incident response plan accounts for potential exploitation of CVE-2013-3897. Document patching status and maintain evidence of remediation for compliance and audit purposes.
Technical Details
CVE-2013-3897 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer. A use-after-free vulnerability exists within CDisplayPointer in Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code.
Attack Vector: The attack vector is NETWORK, meaning the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring the attacker to have local access to the target system. This significantly expands the potential attacker population and makes the vulnerability accessible to remote threat actors.
Attack Complexity: The attack complexity is LOW. Exploitation does not require specialized conditions, race conditions, or extensive preparation — making it accessible to a broad range of attackers including those with limited technical sophistication.
Prerequisites: No prior privileges are required. User interaction is required, typically involving a victim opening a specially crafted file, clicking a malicious link, or visiting a compromised website.
Underlying mechanism: The vulnerability stems from use after free, where use after free (uaf) is a vulnerability that occurs when software continues to use a pointer after the memory it references has been freed. In the context of Internet Explorer, this manifests when processing specially crafted input that triggers the underlying memory corruption or logic flaw, allowing the attacker to achieve code execution or other malicious outcomes.
Affected products: Internet Explorer (6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11). Organizations should cross-reference their deployed versions against this list to assess their exposure to this vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2013-3897?
CVE-2013-3897 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer. A use-after-free vulnerability exists within CDisplayPointer in Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild.
Which products are affected by CVE-2013-3897?
The vulnerability affects Microsoft products including Internet Explorer. Affected versions include 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11. Organizations should consult the vendor's security advisory for the complete list of affected versions and available patches.
How do I fix CVE-2013-3897?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Refer to the official vendor security advisory for specific patch downloads and deployment instructions. If immediate patching is not possible, implement interim mitigations such as restricting access to the vulnerable component, enabling enhanced monitoring, and educating users about potential attack vectors. Verify remediation effectiveness with post-patch vulnerability scanning.
How severe is CVE-2013-3897?
CVE-2013-3897 is rated HIGH with a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8. Its EPSS score of 0.90548 places it in the 99.61th percentile for exploitation likelihood, meaning it is more likely to be exploited than 99.6% of all known vulnerabilities. The KEV remediation deadline was 2022-03-24, and the vulnerability's confirmed active exploitation makes it a high-priority remediation target. Organizations should treat patching as urgent regardless of whether they believe they are currently targeted.
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