CVE-2011-1258 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 does not properly restrict web script, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from a different (1) domain or (2) zone via vectors involving a drag-and-drop operation, aka "Drag and Drop Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1258 represents a significant security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 that stems from improper handling of web script restrictions during drag-and-drop operations. This weakness specifically affects the browser's cross-domain security model, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit user interactions to access sensitive data from different domains or security zones. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted attack vector, meaning that successful exploitation requires some form of user interaction or manipulation to initiate the malicious drag-and-drop sequence.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in Internet Explorer's failure to properly enforce security boundaries when processing drag-and-drop operations between different security zones. When users perform drag-and-drop actions involving web content, the browser should maintain strict isolation between different trust levels and domains to prevent unauthorized data access. However, this flaw allows the browser to potentially expose sensitive information from one domain or zone to another during these operations, effectively bypassing the security mechanisms designed to protect users from cross-site scripting attacks and data leakage.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to organizations relying on older Internet Explorer versions, as it enables attackers to potentially access confidential information from different domains without requiring direct server-side exploitation. The attack requires user interaction through drag-and-drop operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be tricked into performing seemingly benign actions that trigger the vulnerability. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and it aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and information gathering through browser-based attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves constructing malicious web content that, when dragged and dropped into a target browser session, triggers the information disclosure mechanism. This could potentially expose session cookies, authentication tokens, or other sensitive data that should remain isolated between different security zones. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing comprehensive security awareness training to prevent users from inadvertently triggering such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches specifically designed to address the drag-and-drop information disclosure issue. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported browser versions that have resolved this vulnerability, as Internet Explorer 6 through 8 are no longer supported by Microsoft and continue to pose significant security risks. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict content security policies, disabling drag-and-drop functionality in enterprise environments where possible, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious drag-and-drop operations. Security monitoring should also focus on identifying unusual user interactions that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where sensitive data is handled.