CVE-2011-3377 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The web browser plug-in in IcedTea-Web 1.0.x before 1.0.6 and 1.1.x before 1.1.4 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy (SOP) and execute arbitrary script or establish network connections to unintended hosts via an applet whose origin has the same second-level domain, but a different sub-domain than the targeted domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3377 represents a critical security flaw in the IcedTea-Web browser plugin implementation that affects versions prior to 1.0.6 and 1.1.4. This issue resides in the Java applet execution environment and specifically targets the Same Origin Policy enforcement mechanism that is fundamental to web browser security models. The vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent security boundaries that should prevent scripts from accessing resources across different origins, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited for malicious purposes.
The technical flaw in IcedTea-Web stems from an improper implementation of origin validation logic within the plugin's security framework. When processing Java applets, the system fails to correctly validate the full domain hierarchy, specifically allowing applets from subdomains sharing the same second-level domain to bypass normal security restrictions. This occurs because the security policy enforcement mechanism does not adequately distinguish between different subdomain levels, treating applets from different subdomains of the same parent domain as equivalent from a security perspective. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for attackers to execute malicious code against targets that would normally be protected by SOP enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to perform cross-origin resource attacks that could lead to data exfiltration, session hijacking, or lateral movement within network environments. An attacker could craft a malicious applet hosted on a subdomain of a legitimate website and use it to access resources or establish connections to other hosts that should be protected by the same origin policy. This capability undermines fundamental web security assumptions and could be exploited to access sensitive information, manipulate web applications, or establish unauthorized network connections that bypass typical security controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and relates to the broader category of privilege escalation issues in web security contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers can bypass security controls that should normally prevent cross-origin access. The attack vector specifically relates to web-based exploitation where the malicious applet serves as the initial compromise mechanism, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks through the execution of arbitrary code in the target environment.
Organizations should immediately update their IcedTea-Web installations to versions 1.0.6 or 1.1.4 and later to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual outbound connections that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security policies should be reviewed to ensure proper applet sandboxing and origin validation mechanisms are in place. The fix implemented in newer versions addresses the core validation logic to properly enforce the full domain hierarchy when determining security boundaries, ensuring that subdomain differences are appropriately recognized and enforced.