Microsoft Internet Explorer CTreeNode Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Internet Explorer. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within specific manipulations of styles to allow for a CElement to dispose of a CTreeNode. While unwinding the stack, CElement::ComputeFormats can use the freed memory resulting in a use-after-free condition. An attacker can leverage this situation to execute code under the context of the user running the browser.
Additional Details
Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-055
Disclosure Timeline
- 2013-03-29 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2013-07-26 - Coordinated public release of advisory
Credit
Simon Zuckerbraun
