Microsoft Internet Explorer Resource Management Errors Vulnerability - Active in CISA KEV catalog.
Description
Microsoft Internet Explorer Resource Management Errors Vulnerability - Active in CISA KEV catalog.
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
FEDERAL DEADLINE: September 1, 2025 (21 days). Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. FEDERAL DEADLINE: September 1, 2025 (21 days). Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
CISA KEV Details
Deadline: September 1, 2025
Required Action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
---METADATA---
VENDOR: Microsoft
PRODUCT: Internet Explorer
AFFECTED_VERSIONS: 6 through 11
CONFIDENCE: high
MISSING: none
SOURCES_JSON: [{"url":"http://jvndb.jvn.jp/ja/contents/2013/JVNDB-2013-000093.html","name":"JVNDB-2013-000093","tags":["third-party-advisory","x_refsource_JVNDB"]},{"url":"http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN27443259/index.html","name":"JVN#27443259","tags":["third-party-advisory","x_refsource_JVN"]},{"url":"http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/10/08/ms13-080-addresses-two-vulnerabilities-under-limited-targeted-attacks.aspx","name":null,"tags":["x_refsource_CONFIRM"]},{"url":"http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/62453","name":"62453","tags":["vdb-entry","x_refsource_BID"]},{"url":"https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A18665","name":"oval:org.mitre.oval:def:18665","tags":["vdb-entry","signature","x_refsource_OVAL"]},{"url":"http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-288A","name":"TA13-288A","tags":["third-party-advisory","x_refsource_CERT"]},{"url":"http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2887505","name":null,"tags":["x_refsource_CONFIRM"]},{"url":"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-080","name":"MS13-080","tags":["vendor-advisory","x_refsource_MS"]}]
PROFILE: grounded@eead9838b633
MODEL: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
GENERATED: 2026-08-29T14:50:07.127Z
---END_METADATA---
Description Summary:
A use-after-free vulnerability in the mshtml.dll component of Microsoft Internet Explorer allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted JavaScript.
Executive Summary:
This critical use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer allows remote code execution and is currently being actively exploited in the wild.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2013-3893
Affected Software: Microsoft Internet Explorer
Affected Versions: 6 through 11
Vulnerability: The flaw exists within the SetMouseCapture implementation in mshtml.dll. It allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by enticing a user to visit a malicious site containing crafted JavaScript strings, which leverages an ms-help: URL to bypass security protections like ASLR.
Business Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability grants an attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user. Given the CVSS score of 9.5, this represents a critical risk that can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent malware. The active use of this exploit in targeted attacks further escalates the business risk to organizational security and data integrity.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: Apply the security update provided in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS13-080 immediately to patch the vulnerable mshtml.dll component.
Proactive Monitoring: Monitor network traffic for anomalous requests directed at hxds.dll or unexpected interactions with ms-help: URI schemes that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Compensating Controls: Ensure that Enhanced Protected Mode is enabled in Internet Explorer and maintain updated endpoint protection software to detect known malicious exploit patterns.
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: Yes, a Metasploit module and ExploitDB entries exist.
Analyst Notes: This vulnerability is confirmed to be actively exploited in the wild as of August 12, 2025. The flaw is highly dangerous due to its ability to achieve remote code execution through standard browser interactions, and the existence of weaponized exploit code significantly lowers the barrier for attackers to weaponize this vulnerability.
Analyst Recommendation
Due to the critical severity and confirmed active exploitation, immediate patching is mandatory for any remaining legacy systems running Internet Explorer. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of MS13-080 and perform a sweep of the environment to identify any remaining instances of this browser, as it is long past its end-of-life support status and represents a severe liability to the enterprise.