CVE-2006-2094 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer before Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, when Prompt is configured in Security Settings, uses modal dialogs to verify that a user wishes to run an ActiveX control or perform other risky actions, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to construct a race condition that tricks a user into clicking an object or pressing keys that are actually applied to a "Yes" approval for executing the control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions prior to Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 where the security prompt mechanism fails to properly handle concurrent user interactions. The flaw occurs when the browser's security settings are configured to prompt users before executing ActiveX controls or performing other potentially dangerous operations. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of modal dialogs that are designed to block user interaction until a response is received, but the timing of these dialog displays creates an exploitable window.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition in the user interface interaction handling between the browser and the operating system's security prompt system. When a user encounters a security prompt, the modal dialog appears but the underlying application state can be manipulated by an attacker through carefully crafted web content. This allows malicious actors to exploit the timing gap between when the dialog is displayed and when user input is processed, enabling them to trick users into inadvertently approving malicious ActiveX controls or other risky operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to bypass security controls that are specifically designed to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially harmful code. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that exploit the race condition to automatically approve dangerous operations without user knowledge, effectively rendering the security prompt mechanism ineffective. This creates a scenario where users believe they are making an informed decision about executing code, when in reality the approval occurs through manipulation of the timing sequence.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-367 which describes Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, where the state of a system changes between the time a check is performed and when the action is executed. This weakness is further aligned with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 which covers Command and Scripting Interpreter. The attack vector typically involves social engineering combined with precise timing manipulation to exploit the window of opportunity between dialog presentation and user input processing. Organizations should implement immediate patching of affected systems, disable unnecessary ActiveX controls, and educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted web content. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering can provide additional protection layers while systems are being updated.