CVE-2013-3893: Microsoft Internet Explorer Resource Management Errors Vulnerability

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Microsoft Internet Explorer. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-08-12, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2025-09-02; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
• EPSS 87.6%, percentile 99.8: FIRST’s model estimates a 87.6% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs a user to click or open something. Phishing makes that realistic, but it is not wormable.

What it is

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.

CISA’s summary

Microsoft Internet Explorer contains a memory corruption vulnerability that allows for remote code execution. The impacted products could be end-of-life (EoL) and/or end-of-service (EoS). Users should discontinue product utilization.

Weakness type: CWE-416, CWE-399.

Product: Microsoft Internet Explorer · Assigned by: microsoft · Published: 2013-09-18

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: none (no login)
• User interaction: required (a user must click/open something)
• Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2025-08-12; federal due date 2025-09-02. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 87.64% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.8.

Timeline

• 2013-09-18 — CVE record published by microsoft
• 2025-08-12 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2025-09-02 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2025-10-22 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. MS13-080 docs.microsoft.com
2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (learn.microsoft.com) learn.microsoft.com

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2013-3893 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2013-3893 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. JVNDB-2013-000093 jvndb.jvn.jp
2. JVN#27443259 jvn.jp
3. blogs.technet.com blogs.technet.com
4. 62453 securityfocus.com
5. oval:org.mitre.oval:def:18665 oval.cisecurity.org
6. TA13-288A us-cert.gov
7. technet.microsoft.com technet.microsoft.com
8. pastebin.com pastebin.com
9. blogs.technet.com blogs.technet.com
10. packetstormsecurity.com packetstormsecurity.com

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