CVE-2012-0010 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 9 does not properly perform copy-and-paste operations, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to read content from a different (1) domain or (2) zone via a crafted web site, aka "Copy and Paste Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The CVE-2012-0010 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 9 that fundamentally undermines the browser's security model. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of copy-and-paste operations, which should normally be restricted by the same-origin policy that prevents web pages from accessing content from different domains or security zones. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious web pages that can bypass these security boundaries, enabling unauthorized access to content from different domains or security zones through seemingly benign copy-paste interactions.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability exploits the improper implementation of cross-domain copy-and-paste functionality within Internet Explorer's rendering engine. When users interact with web content that has been specifically crafted to trigger copy operations, the browser fails to properly validate the security context of the source content. This allows attackers to create web pages that can capture and exfiltrate data from other domains or security zones that should normally be protected by the browser's security sandbox. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's trust model, which should prevent such cross-domain data access but fails to properly enforce these boundaries during copy operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0010 is significant as it provides attackers with a method to perform information disclosure attacks without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through user-assisted remote attacks, meaning that a user must simply visit a malicious website to be compromised. The attack vector is relatively simple and can be easily disguised as legitimate web content, making it difficult for users to detect. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Internet Explorer versions, creating a substantial attack surface that spans multiple years of browser releases and affects users across different organizational environments.
Organizations and security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how browser security boundaries can be circumvented through seemingly innocuous user interactions. The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper restriction of information exposure, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through browser security model bypass. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving information gathering and credential access through web-based attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and security boundary enforcement in web browsers, particularly in how they handle user interactions that might appear benign but can be weaponized for information disclosure. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, implementation of browser security policies, and user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious copy-and-paste activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.