CVE-2004-0717 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera 7.51 for Windows and 7.50 for Linux does not properly prevent a frame in one domain from injecting content into a frame that belongs to another domain, which facilitates web site spoofing and other attacks, aka the frame injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0717 represents a critical security flaw in Opera web browsers version 7.51 for Windows and 7.50 for Linux, specifically related to the violation of the same-origin policy that governs web browser security. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit frame injection techniques that bypass fundamental web security mechanisms designed to isolate content from different domains. The vulnerability stems from Opera's inadequate enforcement of cross-origin frame restrictions, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the content of frames belonging to different domains.
This frame injection vulnerability operates through the exploitation of browser security boundaries that should prevent content from one domain from modifying or injecting data into frames that belong to another domain. The technical flaw manifests when Opera fails to properly validate and restrict the interaction between frames from different origins, allowing a malicious website to inject content into a frame that is supposed to display content from a trusted domain. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the visual presentation or functional behavior of web pages, effectively undermining the browser's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple web site spoofing to encompass a range of malicious activities that can severely compromise user security and trust. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create convincing phishing attacks by injecting malicious content into legitimate frames, making it appear as though trusted websites are displaying harmful content. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and the delivery of malicious payloads through frame injection techniques that bypass traditional security measures. This type of attack directly violates the core principles of web security and can lead to significant data breaches and user compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the improper control of generation of code, as it allows for unauthorized code injection through frame manipulation, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection attacks. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to newer versions of Opera that properly implement same-origin policy enforcement. Security measures should include implementing proper browser security configurations, deploying web application firewalls, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The remediation process requires updating to browser versions that properly enforce cross-origin restrictions and implement robust frame isolation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized content injection between different domain contexts.