CVE-2014-6323 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive clipboard information via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Clipboard Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6323 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11 that enables remote attackers to access sensitive clipboard data through malicious web content. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure weaknesses and is classified as a clipboard information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited through web-based attacks. The flaw exists in the browser's handling of clipboard operations and demonstrates how web-based applications can potentially access system-level data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This issue is particularly concerning because clipboard data often contains sensitive information such as passwords, personal identification numbers, and other confidential data that users may have copied from secure applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Internet Explorer's insufficient validation of clipboard operations within web contexts. When a user visits a malicious website, the attacker can craft specific web content that leverages JavaScript and browser APIs to access clipboard data that was previously copied to the system clipboard. This occurs because the browser's security model fails to properly isolate clipboard access between different security contexts, allowing web pages to potentially read clipboard contents that should be restricted to application-level access only. The vulnerability exploits the browser's inability to properly enforce security boundaries when processing clipboard-related operations, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to significant security compromises when users copy sensitive data from secure applications such as password managers, financial applications, or confidential documents. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to capture credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data that users have copied to their clipboard, potentially enabling credential theft, identity theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Internet Explorer versions, making it particularly dangerous as it could impact users across multiple operating system versions and deployment scenarios. This type of vulnerability represents a fundamental breach in browser security architecture and can be exploited in various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns, social engineering attacks, and targeted espionage operations.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Internet Explorer, implementing browser security policies, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1115, "Clipboard Data," which describes how adversaries may collect clipboard data from systems. Additional protective measures include disabling JavaScript in browsers when not required, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious clipboard activity. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that users understand the importance of clipboard security in their daily operations. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper sandboxing and privilege separation in web browsers to prevent unauthorized access to system-level resources through web-based interfaces.