CVE-2009-2064 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, and possibly other versions, detects http content in https web pages only when the top-level frame uses https, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary web script, in an https site s context, by modifying an http page to include an https iframe that references a script file on an http site, related to "HTTP-Intended-but-HTTPS-Loadable (HPIHSL) pages."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2064 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and potentially other versions that stems from improper handling of mixed content within secure contexts. This issue specifically affects how browsers manage the transition between http and https protocols when rendering web pages, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the browser's inconsistent security model to execute unauthorized scripts within secure page contexts. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-346, which addresses improper verification of data sources, and falls within the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, specifically targeting web-based scripting execution in compromised secure environments.
The technical flaw manifests when Internet Explorer encounters a scenario where an https page contains an iframe that loads content from an http source, but the top-level frame itself uses https protocol. In this specific case, the browser fails to properly detect and block the insecure http content, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the secure context of the https page. This occurs because the browser's security model does not consistently enforce mixed content blocking when the top-level document uses https, creating a window where http resources can be loaded without proper security warnings or restrictions. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by manipulating http content to include references to scripts hosted on http sites, effectively bypassing the security protections that should normally prevent such cross-protocol contamination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of secure https sites, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and other malicious activities. When an https page loads an iframe containing malicious http content, the browser treats the script execution as if it were part of the secure page, enabling attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the user and the secure site. This creates a scenario where users may unknowingly interact with compromised content while believing they are accessing a secure page, making the attack particularly insidious and difficult to detect. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security promise of https encryption by allowing insecure content to compromise secure browsing sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive mixed content blocking policies that enforce strict security boundaries regardless of the top-level frame protocol. Organizations should ensure that all web applications enforce strict content security policies that prevent loading http resources within https contexts, and browsers should be updated to properly detect and block HPIHSL pages regardless of the protocol used by the top-level frame. Additionally, network administrators should implement proactive monitoring and alerting systems to detect suspicious mixed content patterns, and users should be educated about the risks of visiting websites that display mixed content warnings. The fix requires updating browser security models to consistently enforce mixed content blocking mechanisms and implement stricter protocol validation to prevent the execution of insecure scripts within secure page contexts, aligning with industry best practices for secure web application development and deployment.