CVE-2001-0332 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer 5.5 and earlier does not properly verify the domain of a frame within a browser window, which allows remote web site operators to read certain files on the client by sending information from a local frame to a frame in a different domain using MSScriptControl.ScriptControl and GetObject, aka a variant of the "Frame Domain Verification" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
This vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer versions 5.5 and earlier due to inadequate domain verification mechanisms within the browser's frame handling system. The flaw specifically relates to how the browser processes frames from different domains, creating a security boundary that can be exploited by malicious web site operators. When a web page attempts to access local resources through the MSScriptControl.ScriptControl and GetObject functions, the browser fails to properly enforce cross-domain security restrictions that should prevent such access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the browser's insufficient validation of frame origins during script execution. When a malicious site loads content into a frame and attempts to access local files through scripting interfaces, the domain verification process does not adequately prevent this cross-domain information leakage. This behavior violates fundamental web security principles that require strict isolation between different security domains, particularly when dealing with local file system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to potentially read sensitive files from a user's local system without proper authorization. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that utilize the MSScriptControl.ScriptControl component to access local resources that should normally be protected from cross-domain script access. This creates a pathway for information disclosure attacks where local files, potentially containing sensitive data, could be accessed and exfiltrated by remote adversaries.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper information disclosure, and represents a classic example of a cross-domain scripting attack that bypasses browser security mechanisms. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for social engineering, as it often requires user interaction with malicious web content to be exploited effectively. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper domain verification in web browser implementations and highlights the risks associated with inadequate sandboxing mechanisms for script execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include updating to newer versions of Internet Explorer that properly implement domain verification, disabling ActiveX controls where possible, and implementing strict browser security policies. Users should also avoid visiting untrusted websites and ensure their systems are running patched versions of the browser. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to help prevent exploitation of this type of vulnerability. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to modern browser versions that properly enforce cross-domain security restrictions and implement robust sandboxing mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to local resources.