External risk intelligence

Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer Information Card Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2013-3918

A vulnerability exists in a Microsoft Windows ActiveX control, allowing remote attackers to execute code or cause a denial of service. This impacts organizations by enabling potential system compromise and data loss. The realistic business risk is significant due to the possibility of unauthorized code execution.

1Halo Surface Signal

Out-of-bounds Write

Microsoft Windows 7

r2sp2

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2013-3918

The vulnerability resides in a client-side ActiveX control (icardie.dll) within the Internet Explorer browser. It requires a user to navigate to a specifically crafted webpage. It is not an internet-facing service, API, or gateway, and lacks public-facing network exposure by design.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

The InformationCardSigninHelper Class ActiveX control within Microsoft Windows is vulnerable. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by exploiting an out-of-bounds write. The potential impact includes the compromise of organizational systems and data.

  • Vulnerable ActiveX control.
  • Allows arbitrary code execution.
  • Potential for system compromise.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit a vulnerability in a Microsoft Windows ActiveX control to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. This attack typically occurs when a user visits a malicious web page through Internet Explorer. The exploitation can lead to the attacker gaining control over the affected system.

  • Exposure through a malicious website.
  • Attacker sends a crafted webpage.
  • User visits page, code executes.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in an ActiveX control within Internet Explorer could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. Attackers could exploit this by luring users to a malicious website. Organizations should consider this a high-risk issue due to the potential for remote code execution and data compromise, especially given its past exploitation in the wild.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: User visits malicious website
  • Business risk or urgency: High, past exploitation

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

To address this vulnerability, organizations should first determine which systems may be affected by the InformationCardSigninHelper Class ActiveX control. After identification, steps should be taken to limit potential exposure. Finally, vendor-provided security updates should be applied, and the implementation of these fixes must be verified to ensure the vulnerability is no longer exploitable. Ongoing monitoring for related malicious activity is also recommended.

  • Identify all affected assets.
  • Reduce exposure and isolate risk.
  • Apply, verify, and monitor the fix.

Frequently asked questions

What is the InformationCardSigninHelper Class ActiveX control in Microsoft Windows?

The InformationCardSigninHelper Class ActiveX control, found in icardie.dll, is a component of Microsoft Windows that Internet Explorer uses. It is designed to assist with managing information cards, which are digital identity credentials used for authentication and access.

How does CVE-2013-3918 enable attackers to compromise systems?

CVE-2013-3918 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. An attacker can craft a malicious webpage that, when visited by a user with an affected Internet Explorer version, triggers this weakness. This can lead to attackers executing arbitrary code or causing a denial of service on the targeted system [1, 2, 3, 11, 13, 14].

What is the impact of the CVE-2013-3918 vulnerability on affected systems?

Successful exploitation of CVE-2013-3918 can result in arbitrary code execution, allowing an attacker to gain the same user rights as the logged-on user. If the user has administrative privileges, an attacker could take complete control of the system, enabling them to install programs, view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts [1, 5, 11, 13, 14].

How can organizations mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2013-3918?

Organizations should apply Microsoft's security update MS13-090 immediately to address this vulnerability. Given that this CVE is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, prompt patching is crucial. Discontinuing the use of affected products is recommended if mitigations are unavailable [1, 3].

What actions should be taken to respond to the InformationCardSigninHelper vulnerability?

To address this vulnerability, identify all affected assets, reduce potential exposure, and apply vendor-provided security updates. Verify the implementation of these fixes to ensure the vulnerability is no longer exploitable. Ongoing monitoring for related malicious activity is also recommended [1, 3, 4, 11].

References