CVE-2011-2383 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 and earlier 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 an http: URL that redirects to a file: URL, as demonstrated by a Facebook game, related to a "cookiejacking" issue, aka "Drag and Drop Information Disclosure Vulnerability." NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix in the Internet Explorer 9 release.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-zone security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 and earlier, where the browser fails to properly enforce security restrictions during drag-and-drop operations across different trust zones. The issue stems from an incomplete security implementation that allows malicious actors to exploit the browser's handling of cross-domain interactions, particularly when IFRAME elements are involved in the attack vector. The vulnerability specifically affects how Internet Explorer processes drag-and-drop actions between different security zones, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access that bypasses normal security boundaries.
The technical exploitation occurs through a sophisticated user-assisted attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious web page containing an IFRAME element with a SRC attribute pointing to an http: URL that subsequently redirects to a file: URL. This redirection mechanism exploits the browser's trust relationship handling, allowing the malicious page to access local file system resources that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 as an information disclosure issue, specifically related to improper restriction of information flow between security zones. This weakness enables what security researchers have termed "cookiejacking" attacks, where session cookies and other sensitive data can be extracted from the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to access sensitive cookie files and potentially other local data without requiring direct system compromise. The attack demonstrates the dangerous implications of incomplete security fixes in major browser releases, as the vulnerability was present despite previous attempts to address similar issues. The Facebook game demonstration shows how this flaw can be weaponized in real-world scenarios where users interact with seemingly legitimate web applications. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input capture, specifically targeting credential exposure through browser-based attacks. The issue represents a fundamental breakdown in the browser's security model, where the drag-and-drop functionality fails to properly validate source and destination zones, creating a persistent security gap.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper browser security updates, disabling drag-and-drop functionality in high-risk environments, and employing additional security controls such as content security policies and enhanced browser hardening measures. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious IFRAME redirection patterns, as well as implementing user education programs to recognize potentially malicious web content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing across all browser features, particularly those involving user interaction patterns that could create security boundary crossings. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar incomplete fixes that may leave residual vulnerabilities in browser implementations.