CVE-2002-1254 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to bypass the cross-domain security model and access information on the local system or in other domains, and possibly execute code, via cached methods and objects, aka "Cross Domain Verification via Cached Methods."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
This vulnerability in Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 represents a critical cross-domain security flaw that undermines the fundamental web security model. The issue stems from how the browser handles cached methods and objects across different domains, creating an avenue for attackers to circumvent the same-origin policy that normally prevents malicious code from accessing resources in other domains. The vulnerability specifically affects versions where the browser's security mechanisms fail to properly validate cross-domain requests when cached resources are involved, allowing unauthorized access to local system information and potentially enabling remote code execution. This represents a classic example of a security bypass vulnerability where the protection mechanisms themselves become the attack vector.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the manipulation of cached objects and methods that should normally be restricted based on domain boundaries. When Internet Explorer caches resources from different domains, it fails to properly enforce security boundaries during subsequent access attempts. This creates a scenario where a malicious web page can exploit cached content from trusted domains to gain unauthorized access to local resources or information from other domains. The vulnerability operates at the core of the browser's security architecture, specifically targeting the cross-domain verification mechanisms that are essential for maintaining web application security. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, as it involves unauthorized access to system resources through flawed access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive local data, manipulate browser behavior, and potentially escalate privileges through the exploitation of cached resources that should remain isolated. The cross-domain nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker could compromise one domain and use that access to target other domains or local system resources, creating a chain reaction of security breaches. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may browse multiple domains and where cached content plays a significant role in web application performance. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that many web applications rely on cached resources for performance optimization, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling cached content for sensitive operations, implementing proper browser security policies, and ensuring that users are upgraded to more secure browser versions. The recommended approach involves configuring Internet Explorer to disable cross-domain access for cached objects, implementing strict content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious cross-domain requests. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected browser versions and ensure that proper patch management procedures are in place. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security model implementation in web browsers and demonstrates how seemingly minor caching mechanisms can create significant security risks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to bypass security controls and maintain persistent access to target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may not always be immediately apparent during normal browsing operations.