CVE-2013-2551: Microsoft Internet Explorer use-after-free remote code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 17 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityIt is a remotely exploitable use-after-free in a widely deployed browser, listed in CISA KEV with known ransomware use and very high EPSS probability.

What it is

Internet Explorer 6 through 10 contains a use-after-free flaw where a crafted web page causes access to a deleted object. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution in the context of the browsing user, and the flaw was demonstrated publicly at Pwn2Own 2013. It affects a broad range of legacy IE versions and remains a known exploited vulnerability.

Impact

An attacker can execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine, typically with the privileges of the logged-in user. This can lead to full system compromise, data theft, or use as a foothold for further attacks.

Attack surface

Reached over the network by convincing a user to visit a malicious or compromised web page; the CVSS vector shows no privileges required but user interaction is required. No authentication is needed on the attacker side.

Exploitation

Listed in CISA KEV with a due date of 2022-04-18 and flagged for known ransomware campaign use, and EPSS 30-day probability is about 0.74 (99th percentile), indicating high likelihood of exploitation. Public demonstration at Pwn2Own 2013 confirms exploitability.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in MS13-037 (patch first).
• Upgrade or migrate off Internet Explorer 6 through 10 to a supported browser.
• Enforce network and endpoint controls that block or restrict legacy IE usage where possible.
• Apply defense-in-depth controls such as EMET or modern exploit mitigations on systems that must retain legacy IE.
• Monitor CISA KEV guidance and ensure the required action is completed by the due date.

Detection

• Hunt for IE process crashes or anomalous child processes spawned by iexplore.exe.
• Monitor for known exploit artifacts and suspicious script or shellcode behavior in browser memory.
• Review proxy and DNS logs for access to known malicious or exploit-hosting domains.
• Correlate endpoint telemetry for use-after-free exploitation patterns such as unexpected memory writes or ROP chains.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.