CVE-2002-0027 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to read certain files and spoof the URL in the address bar by using the Document.open function to pass information between two frames from different domains, a new variant of the "Frame Domain Verification" vulnerability described in MS:MS01-058/CAN-2001-0874.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0027 represents a critical security flaw in Internet Explorer versions 5.5 and 6.0 that exploits the Document.open function to bypass cross-domain security restrictions. This issue specifically targets the browser's frame domain verification mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access sensitive files and manipulate the user interface. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the Document.open function to establish communication between frames from different domains, effectively circumventing the browser's security model designed to prevent such cross-domain operations. This flaw falls under the broader category of cross-site scripting and cross-domain data leakage vulnerabilities, which have been consistently identified as high-risk threats in web browser security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of the Document.open function within the browser's JavaScript engine to create a communication channel between frames that should normally be isolated due to domain restrictions. When a malicious website attempts to access files or resources from another domain, the exploit uses the Document.open function to establish a bridge that allows data transfer between frames from different security domains. This mechanism directly violates the same-origin policy that browsers enforce to prevent unauthorized access to resources across different domains, effectively creating a bypass for the security controls that should protect users from malicious cross-domain attacks. The vulnerability specifically leverages the frame domain verification mechanism that was previously documented in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-058 and CAN-2001-0874, indicating that this was not a completely novel attack vector but rather a refined variant that could be exploited in newer browser versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it enables sophisticated attacks that can deceive users through URL spoofing in the address bar. Attackers can manipulate the browser's address bar to display a false URL while actually loading malicious content from a different domain, creating a deceptive environment that can fool users into trusting fraudulent websites. This spoofing capability significantly amplifies the threat potential, as users may be tricked into entering sensitive information on malicious sites that appear legitimate due to the address bar deception. The vulnerability's ability to read certain files from different domains creates a comprehensive attack surface that could potentially expose user credentials, personal data, or system information stored in files accessible through cross-domain communication channels. Organizations using these vulnerable browser versions face substantial risk of data breaches and social engineering attacks that exploit this fundamental security flaw in the browser's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0027 require immediate action to address the underlying browser security flaw through patching and configuration updates. Microsoft released security updates in MS01-058 that specifically addressed this vulnerability by strengthening the frame domain verification mechanism and improving the security controls around the Document.open function. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0, as these versions contain the necessary security fixes that prevent exploitation of this particular attack vector. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict the use of the Document.open function in potentially malicious contexts, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious cross-domain communication patterns, and educating users about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites that may exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security configurations and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This issue aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks including the CWE taxonomy for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and represents a typical example of how browser security mechanisms can be bypassed through sophisticated manipulation of core browser functions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls that can detect and prevent the exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other browser versions and web applications that may be susceptible to similar cross-domain communication attacks.