CVE-2012-2815 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 20.0.1132.43 allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information from a fragment identifier by leveraging access to an IFRAME element associated with a different domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2815 represents a cross-origin information disclosure flaw within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 20.0.1132.43. This issue specifically exploits the browser's handling of fragment identifiers and IFRAME elements across different domains, creating a potential avenue for attackers to extract sensitive data from web applications. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, which can have significant implications for user privacy and data security. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness where information is exposed to unauthorized actors, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1552 for credentials and information theft through web-based attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when Chrome processes fragment identifiers within IFRAME elements that reference different domains. When a web page contains an IFRAME element pointing to another domain, the browser's security model should prevent access to the target domain's fragment identifier information. However, in vulnerable versions, attackers could manipulate this behavior to potentially access sensitive information that should remain isolated between domains. The vulnerability exploits the browser's cross-origin resource sharing and security boundary enforcement mechanisms, particularly affecting how fragment identifiers are handled when navigating between different security contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gather user session data, personal information, or application-specific details that should remain protected within their respective domains. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that leverage the vulnerability to extract fragment identifiers from legitimate web applications, potentially leading to session hijacking or other advanced persistent threats. The attack vector requires the user to navigate to a malicious page that contains the vulnerable IFRAME structure, making it a client-side attack that relies on user interaction and browser-based exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2815 involve immediate browser updates to versions 20.0.1132.43 and later, which contain the necessary security patches to properly enforce cross-origin restrictions. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and ensure all users maintain current versions of Chrome. Additionally, web developers should follow secure coding practices and avoid relying on fragment identifiers for sensitive data transmission. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security implementations and highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and patch management programs. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling such vulnerabilities.