Use‑After‑Free in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE‑2013‑2551) Enables Remote Code Execution
What It Is — A use‑after‑free memory corruption bug in Microsoft Internet Explorer that can be triggered by a crafted web page, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user.
Exploitability — Publicly disclosed; proof‑of‑concept code exists. The vulnerability received a CVSS v3 score of 8.8 (High) and is exploitable remotely without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site.
Affected Products — Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, 9, 10, and 11 on Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 10.
Why It Matters for Trust & Control Assurance
- Continuous patch‑management controls must be demonstrably effective; a missing IE update breaks that assurance.
- Evidence of timely remediation feeds into audit trails required by frameworks such as NIST CSF and ISO 27001.
- Reducing the attack surface (e.g., disabling legacy browsers) aligns with control objectives for endpoint security and risk reduction.
Recommended Actions
- Deploy Microsoft’s security update that resolves CVE‑2013‑2551 immediately.
- If Internet Explorer is not needed, disable or uninstall it to eliminate the vector.
- Record the remediation in your control‑evidence repository and verify the patch‑management control status in the Trust Center.
Source: CISA KEV – CVE‑2013‑2551