CVE-2013-3918: Microsoft Windows out-of-bounds write in InformationCardSigninHelper ActiveX

CVE-2013-3918 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-10-06

Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability in a component used for signing into web services. An attacker could exploit this by tricking a user into visiting a malicious website using Internet Explorer. If successful, the attacker could take full control of the user's computer, potentially leading to data theft or the installation of malware.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2013-3918 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2013-3918 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 6 October 2025. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2013-3918?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 6 October 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows XP SP2/SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, Server 2008 SP2/R2 SP1, 7 SP1, 8, 8.1, Server 2012/R2, RT/8.1.
Is there a fix for CVE-2013-3918?
A patch was published on 2013-11-12: Microsoft released security bulletin MS13-090. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2013-3918 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2013-3918?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the InformationCardSigninHelper Class ActiveX control (icardie.dll) within multiple versions of Microsoft Windows. The flaw is triggered when Internet Explorer processes a specially crafted webpage, allowing a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. This is a client-side vulnerability requiring user interaction (visiting a malicious URL). The vulnerability was notably exploited in the wild in 2013 via watering hole attacks. Microsoft released a patch (MS13-090) to address this issue, though many affected operating systems are now end-of-life.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows XP SP2/SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP2, Server 2008 SP2/R2 SP1, 7 SP1, 8, 8.1, Server 2012/R2, RT/8.1

Timeline

  • 2013-11-11: exploited: Exploited in the wild in November 2013 via watering hole attacks.
  • 2013-11-12: patched: Microsoft released security bulletin MS13-090.
  • 2025-10-06: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

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