CVE-2010-1852 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer, when the Invisible Hand extension is enabled, uses cookies during background HTTP requests in a possibly unexpected manner, which might allow remote web servers to identify specific persons and their product searches via HTTP request logging, related to a "cross-site data leakage" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1852 represents a significant privacy concern within Microsoft Internet Explorer's handling of cookies during background HTTP requests when the Invisible Hand extension is active. This issue stems from the browser's improper management of cookie data transmission in scenarios where background requests occur, creating an unintended data leakage channel that could compromise user anonymity and tracking preferences. The vulnerability specifically impacts users who have enabled the Invisible Hand extension, which is designed to provide enhanced browsing capabilities but inadvertently creates security and privacy implications when combined with Internet Explorer's cookie handling mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when Internet Explorer processes background HTTP requests while the Invisible Hand extension is active, causing cookies to be transmitted in a manner that could be exploited by remote web servers to correlate user activities across different sessions and websites. This cross-site data leakage occurs because the browser's cookie management system does not properly isolate or restrict cookie transmission during background operations, allowing tracking mechanisms to gather information about user behavior patterns and search activities. The vulnerability essentially enables persistent tracking of users across multiple domains, as the cookie data from background requests can be logged and analyzed by web servers to reconstruct user profiles and browsing histories.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial privacy risks for Internet Explorer users who rely on the Invisible Hand extension for enhanced browsing functionality. Remote web servers can potentially identify specific individuals through HTTP request logging mechanisms, effectively undermining the privacy protections that users expect when browsing the internet. The issue particularly affects users who engage in product research or sensitive online activities, as their search patterns and browsing behaviors can be correlated across different websites and sessions. This type of cross-site tracking represents a significant breach of user privacy expectations and could enable targeted advertising, behavioral profiling, or even identity theft scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1537 for "Cloud Service Dashboard.' The issue demonstrates how browser extensions can create unexpected attack surfaces when combined with core browser functionality, particularly in cookie management and background request handling. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader privacy threat modeling exercises, particularly for environments where user anonymity is critical. Organizations implementing Internet Explorer in enterprise settings should evaluate the risks associated with enabling the Invisible Hand extension and consider disabling it to prevent potential tracking scenarios. The mitigation strategy involves disabling the Invisible Hand extension or implementing additional network-level controls to prevent unauthorized cookie data leakage during background HTTP requests, while also ensuring that users understand the privacy implications of browser extensions and their interactions with core browser components.