CVE-2002-1188 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer 5.01 through 6.0 allows remote attackers to identify the path to the Temporary Internet Files folder and obtain user information such as cookies via certain uses of the OBJECT tag, which are not subjected to the proper security checks, aka "Temporary Internet Files folders Name Reading."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
This vulnerability affects internet explorer versions 5.01 through 6.0 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the browser's security model. The issue stems from improper security checks applied to certain uses of the object tag, which allows remote attackers to access sensitive system information including the path to the temporary internet files folder. This weakness specifically targets the browser's handling of temporary file storage locations and user session data, creating an avenue for attackers to gather intelligence about the victim's system configuration and browsing activities.
The technical flaw manifests through the object tag implementation where the browser fails to properly validate or restrict access to temporary internet files directories. When certain object elements are processed, the security mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized access to system resources are bypassed, allowing attackers to read directory structures and potentially extract cookies or other session information stored in the temporary internet files folder. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security boundaries and file system access controls, exploiting a gap in the security model that should have prevented such information leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to gather detailed information about user systems and browsing sessions. By obtaining the temporary internet files folder path, attackers can potentially reconstruct user activity patterns, access cached web content, and extract session cookies that may be used for authentication purposes. This information disclosure can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on internet explorer for web browsing and who may be targeted by attackers seeking to compromise their online sessions and personal data.
This issue aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of insufficient security checks in web browser implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper handling of object tags and temporary file access can create information disclosure channels that bypass fundamental security mechanisms. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance, as attackers can use the gathered information to plan more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system. The flaw underscores the importance of proper input validation and security boundary enforcement in web browser security models.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include updating to newer versions of internet explorer where the security checks have been properly implemented, disabling the problematic object tag usage in web applications, and implementing additional network-level controls to monitor for suspicious access patterns. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to access temporary internet files directories through object tags. Regular security assessments of web browser configurations and temporary file storage management should be conducted to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper security validation in web browser implementations and the potential consequences of inadequate access controls in temporary file handling mechanisms.