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CVE-2013-2551 — Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows remote…

Key facts

CVE-2013-2551 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows remote…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-28), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2013-2551 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-28), confirming exploitation in the wild. It is linked to known ransomware campaigns. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-04-18. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2013-2551
Severity High (8.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-03-28) · ransomware
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2013/CVE-2013-2551/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2013-2551
CVSS Score 8.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2013/CVE-2013-2551/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2013-2551

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/HP-Security-Research-Blog/Pwn2Own-2013/ba-p/5981157
  • http://twitter.com/VUPEN/statuses/309479075385327617
  • http://twitter.com/thezdi/statuses/309452625173176320
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-134A
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-037
  • https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16317
  • http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/HP-Security-Research-Blog/Pwn2Own-2013/ba-p/5981157
  • http://twitter.com/VUPEN/statuses/309479075385327617
  • http://twitter.com/thezdi/statuses/309452625173176320
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-134A
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-037
  • https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16317
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-2551

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-11T15:19:05.334431418

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2013-2551?

CVE-2013-2551 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows remote…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-28), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

How do I detect CVE-2013-2551?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2013-2551?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2013-2551 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2013-2551 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-28, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA also links it to known ransomware campaigns. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-04-18. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.