CVE-2006-6992 in GoSuRF Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-domain vulnerability in GoSuRF Browser 2.62 allows remote attackers to access restricted information from other domains via an object tag with a data parameter that references a link on the attacker s originating site that specifies a Location HTTP header that references the target site, which then makes that content available through the outerHTML attribute of the object, a similar vulnerability to CVE-2006-3280.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The CVE-2006-6992 vulnerability represents a significant cross-domain security flaw in the GoSuRF Browser version 2.62 that fundamentally undermines the browser's security model. This vulnerability exploits the browser's handling of object tags and HTTP headers to bypass domain isolation mechanisms that are critical for web security. The flaw specifically targets how the browser processes data parameters within object tags, creating an unexpected pathway for attackers to access content from different domains. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the Location HTTP header to redirect requests in a manner that circumvents normal cross-domain restrictions, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of browser security mechanisms and HTTP protocol behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a multi-step attack vector that begins with an attacker hosting malicious content on their own domain. The attacker creates an object tag with a data parameter that points to their originating site, where they have crafted a specific HTTP response containing a Location header. This header references the target site that contains sensitive information, and when the browser processes this request, it inadvertently makes the content accessible through the outerHTML attribute of the object element. This technique effectively creates a cross-domain information leak by exploiting the browser's trust in certain HTTP header processing behaviors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the browser's rendering layer rather than at the network or application level, making it difficult to detect through traditional security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to access restricted resources from other domains without proper authentication or authorization. This capability allows for the extraction of sensitive data, potentially including user credentials, personal information, or confidential business data from legitimate websites. The similarity to CVE-2006-3280 suggests this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting web browsers' handling of cross-domain requests and object embedding mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about target organizations, or combine it with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple domains makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users access multiple trusted websites.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of cross-domain scripting attacks that target browser implementation flaws rather than application-level vulnerabilities. The issue aligns with CWE-94, which covers "Improper Control of Generation of Code," and represents a code injection vulnerability that occurs during the parsing of object tags and HTTP headers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance, specifically targeting the T1566.001 and T1071.001 sub-techniques related to social engineering and application layer protocols. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, content security policy enforcement, and network-level restrictions to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of browser components and the need for comprehensive testing of HTTP header processing behaviors in web applications.