CVE-2013-2551

KEVRansomware UseMicrosoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to execute remote code via a crafted web site that triggers access to a deleted object.

Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to a deleted object, as demonstrated by VUPEN during a Pwn2Own competition at CanSecWest 2013, aka "Internet Explorer Use After Free Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-1308 and CVE-2013-1309.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

PublishedMar 11, 2013

Last modifiedJun 16, 2026

Added to KEVMar 28, 2022

Remediation dueApr 18, 2022

References

h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/HP-Security-Research-Blog/Pwn2Own-2013/ba-p/5981157Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
twitter.com/VUPEN/statuses/309479075385327617Broken Link
twitter.com/thezdi/statuses/309452625173176320Not Applicable
us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-134AThird Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-037PatchVendor Advisory
oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16317Broken Link
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-2551US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · Critical

Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1653 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 8.8 HIGH
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 73.9% · top 1% of all CVEs
Weakness: CWE-416
Attack vector: Network, remotely reachable

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.