Skip to content

CVE-2013-3893 — Use-after-free vulnerability in the SetMouseCapture implementation in mshtml.dll in…

Key facts

CVE-2013-3893 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in the SetMouseCapture implementation in mshtml.dll in…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2025-08-12), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2013-3893 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2025-08-12), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2025-09-02. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2013-3893
Severity High (8.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2025-08-12)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2013/CVE-2013-3893/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in the SetMouseCapture implementation in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted JavaScript strings, as demonstrated by use of an ms-help: URL that triggers loading of hxds.dll.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2013-3893
CVSS Score 8.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2013/CVE-2013-3893/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-2013-3893

# 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://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/09/17/cve-2013-3893-fix-it-workaround-available.aspx
  • http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/10/08/ms13-080-addresses-two-vulnerabilities-under-limited-targeted-attacks.aspx
  • http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN27443259/index.html
  • http://jvndb.jvn.jp/ja/contents/2013/JVNDB-2013-000093.html
  • http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162585/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-8-SetMouseCapture-Use-After-Free.html
  • http://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=Hx1L5gu6
  • http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2887505
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/62453
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-288A
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-080
  • https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A18665
  • http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/09/17/cve-2013-3893-fix-it-workaround-available.aspx
  • http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/10/08/ms13-080-addresses-two-vulnerabilities-under-limited-targeted-attacks.aspx
  • http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN27443259/index.html
  • http://jvndb.jvn.jp/ja/contents/2013/JVNDB-2013-000093.html
  • http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162585/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-8-SetMouseCapture-Use-After-Free.html
  • http://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=Hx1L5gu6
  • http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2887505
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/62453
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-288A
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-080
  • https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A18665
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-3893

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-11T16:44:27.321548388

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2013-3893?

CVE-2013-3893 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in the SetMouseCapture implementation in mshtml.dll in…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2025-08-12), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2013-3893?

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-2013-3893?

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-2013-3893 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2013-3893 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2025-08-12, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2025-09-02. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

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