CVE-2011-2382 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and earlier, and Internet Explorer 9 beta, does not properly restrict cross-zone drag-and-drop actions, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to read cookie files via vectors involving an IFRAME element with a SRC attribute containing a file: URL, as demonstrated by a Facebook game, related to a "cookiejacking" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and earlier, along with Internet Explorer 9 beta, contain a critical cross-zone drag-and-drop restriction flaw that enables remote attackers to exploit cookiejacking vulnerabilities through manipulated iframe elements. This vulnerability stems from insufficient security boundaries between different browser zones, specifically failing to properly enforce zone security policies during drag-and-drop operations. The flaw allows attackers to bypass standard security restrictions by leveraging file: URLs within iframe SRC attributes, creating a pathway for unauthorized cookie access that can persist across different security contexts.
The technical implementation involves the exploitation of a security boundary violation where Internet Explorer's zone management system does not adequately validate drag-and-drop operations originating from different security zones. When a user interacts with a malicious iframe containing a file: URL, the browser fails to enforce proper cross-zone restrictions, allowing the malicious content to access cookies from the user's session. This represents a fundamental failure in Internet Explorer's security model, specifically within the zone isolation mechanisms that are designed to prevent such cross-zone data leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie theft, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to account takeover scenarios. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that appear legitimate, such as Facebook games or social applications, that silently extract authentication cookies from users' browsers. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on cookie-based authentication mechanisms, making it a significant threat to user privacy and session integrity. The attack requires user interaction through the drag-and-drop mechanism, making it a user-assisted remote attack vector that can be particularly effective in social engineering campaigns.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Account Access Removal" and T1211 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation". The security implications are particularly severe because they demonstrate a failure in the browser's core security architecture, specifically in how it handles zone-based security policies during user interaction events. The cookiejacking attack vector represents a sophisticated approach to session hijacking that exploits the trust model between different browser zones, allowing attackers to access sensitive session data without requiring direct network access to the target application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper browser security updates, enabling enhanced security features such as zone isolation enforcement, and deploying content security policies that restrict iframe usage with file: URLs. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious drag-and-drop interactions and the potential for cookiejacking attacks. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to supported browser versions that properly enforce cross-zone security boundaries and implementing additional security controls such as SameSite cookie attributes and enhanced browser sandboxing mechanisms to prevent similar exploitation patterns.