CVE-2011-1244 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 does not enforce intended domain restrictions on content access, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or conduct clickjacking attacks via a crafted web site, aka "Frame Tag Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1244 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, and 8 that fundamentally undermines the browser's security model. This issue stems from the browser's improper enforcement of domain restrictions, specifically within the frame tag implementation, which creates a significant bypass of the same-origin policy that governs web browser security. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to craft web pages that can access content from different domains than intended, effectively breaking down the security boundaries that separate user data from potentially harmful external content. This flaw directly impacts the core security architecture of Internet Explorer and exposes users to various attack vectors that exploit the browser's failure to properly validate cross-domain access requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of frame tags in web pages, where Internet Explorer fails to properly enforce the security restrictions that should prevent a frame from accessing content from a different domain. When a malicious website attempts to embed content from another domain within a frame, the browser's security mechanisms do not adequately validate the access request, allowing unauthorized data retrieval or manipulation. This flaw specifically affects the way Internet Explorer handles cross-domain frame access, where the browser's security model should prevent such operations but instead permits them due to insufficient validation of the frame tag attributes and their associated domain restrictions. The vulnerability operates at the level of the browser's rendering engine and security policy enforcement mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the fundamental way the browser processes and secures web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass more severe attack scenarios including clickjacking and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create deceptive web pages that appear legitimate while secretly accessing sensitive information from other domains, potentially including authentication cookies, session data, or private user information. The vulnerability also enables clickjacking attacks where malicious frames can overlay legitimate content to trick users into performing unintended actions, while the browser's failure to enforce domain restrictions makes it possible for these attacks to succeed. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and security, as it allows attackers to bypass the security controls that should prevent cross-site data access and manipulation, potentially leading to identity theft, data breaches, or unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability affects users of older Internet Explorer versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments and consumer settings, amplifying the potential impact of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1244 require immediate attention from organizations and individuals using affected Internet Explorer versions. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to newer versions of Internet Explorer that have implemented proper domain restriction enforcement and fixed the underlying frame tag handling mechanisms. Microsoft released security updates that address this vulnerability by strengthening the browser's security model and implementing proper validation of frame tag access requests. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious frame tag usage patterns. Security policies should include mandatory browser updates and regular security assessments to ensure that systems are not running vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where adversaries exploit browser security flaws to achieve unauthorized access to information. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and represents a specific implementation weakness in the browser's security enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as sandboxing, browser hardening, and user education to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.