CVE-2012-1882 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 9 does not block cross-domain scrolling events, which allows remote attackers to read content from a different (1) domain or (2) zone via a crafted web site, aka "Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1882 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 9 that stems from inadequate cross-domain security controls. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of scrolling events across different domains or security zones, creating an unexpected pathway for malicious actors to access sensitive content from remote origins. The flaw operates at the core of browser security architecture where proper isolation between different web contexts should prevent such information leakage.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper restriction of cross-domain scrolling event handling within Internet Explorer's rendering engine. When a web page attempts to scroll content from a different domain or security zone, the browser fails to properly sanitize or block these events, allowing the malicious website to capture scroll position data and potentially infer the content of elements from other domains. This occurs because the browser's security model does not adequately enforce the same-origin policy for scrolling events, creating a side-channel information disclosure vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level rather than through traditional network-based attack vectors, making it more difficult to detect and prevent through conventional security measures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform sophisticated reconnaissance and data exfiltration attacks against users of affected Internet Explorer versions. An attacker could craft a malicious website that, when visited by a user, would be able to gather scroll position data from other domains the user has visited, potentially revealing sensitive information such as document content, user interactions, or even private data from other websites. The attack requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site, making it particularly dangerous in phishing or targeted attack scenarios. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's ability to maintain proper security boundaries between different web contexts, undermining fundamental web security principles.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) and T1566 (Phishing). Organizations running affected versions of Internet Explorer face significant risk of data leakage and privacy violations, particularly in enterprise environments where users may access multiple domains or zones within the same browser session. The attack surface is broad as it affects all versions of Internet Explorer from 6 through 9, representing a substantial portion of the browser market during the time this vulnerability was prevalent. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes user interface elements and event handling mechanisms, rather than focusing solely on network-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1882 primarily involve immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches, as well as browser version upgrades to more recent releases that properly address cross-domain security controls. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious scrolling behavior patterns, though these measures may not fully address the underlying vulnerability. Browser security configuration changes including disabling cross-domain scrolling event handling or implementing stricter content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth. Regular security awareness training for users about visiting untrusted websites and maintaining updated browser software remains crucial, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly innocuous browser features can create significant security risks when not properly secured. The vulnerability also highlights the need for continuous security assessment of browser components beyond traditional network security controls.