Use‑After‑Free in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE‑2013‑3897) Enables Remote Code Execution
What It Is – A use‑after‑free flaw in the CDisplayPointer component of Microsoft Internet Explorer allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim’s machine when a malicious web page is rendered.
Exploitability – The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network; proof‑of‑concept exploits have been publicly released. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8 (High).
Affected Products – Microsoft Internet Explorer (all supported versions at the time of the advisory).
Why It Matters for Trust & Control Assurance
- Patch Management – Demonstrates the need for a documented, repeatable process to apply security updates promptly, a control that maps to many frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF Identify → Asset Management, ISO 27001 → A.12.6).
- Evidence of Due Diligence – Continuous collection of remediation evidence (patch status, scan results) provides a defensible audit trail that buyers increasingly demand.
- Supply‑Chain Resilience – Even a legacy browser can become an attack vector; maintaining a trusted software inventory reduces exposure from third‑party components.
Recommended Actions
- Inventory all endpoints running Internet Explorer and verify version numbers.
- Apply the Microsoft security update released for CVE‑2013‑3897 or upgrade to a supported browser.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan to confirm remediation and capture evidence.
- Document the patch‑deployment process and retain logs for audit readiness.
- Incorporate the remediation step into your continuous control‑mapping workflow.
Source: CISA KEV – CVE‑2013‑3897