CVE-2014-6328 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 through 11 allows remote attackers to bypass the XSS filter via a crafted attribute of an element in an HTML document, aka "Internet Explorer XSS Filter Bypass Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-6365.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2022
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11 contained a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that allowed remote attackers to circumvent the built-in XSS filter protection mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targeted the browser's attempt to sanitize HTML content by exploiting weaknesses in how the browser handled certain HTML attributes within elements, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts that would bypass the security controls designed to prevent such attacks.
The technical flaw exploited by CVE-2014-6328 stemmed from insufficient validation and sanitization of HTML attributes within the browser's XSS filter implementation. Attackers could craft malicious HTML documents containing specially formatted attributes that would not be properly detected or neutralized by the browser's security mechanisms, allowing script execution to occur in the context of the victim's session. This bypass occurred because the XSS filter failed to adequately analyze certain attribute patterns and their potential for script injection, creating a gap in the security controls that should have prevented such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant as it allowed attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Victims browsing compromised websites or clicking on malicious links could have their browser sessions hijacked, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or accounts. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it affected multiple versions of Internet Explorer, creating a broad attack surface that made organizations more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers could execute malicious scripts through the bypassed XSS protection. Organizations were advised to implement immediate mitigations including applying security patches, disabling unnecessary browser features, and implementing additional security measures such as content security policies to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability.
The vulnerability demonstrated the complexity of implementing effective XSS protection mechanisms and highlighted the importance of comprehensive input validation. Security researchers noted that the flaw was particularly concerning because it represented a bypass of automated security controls rather than a direct exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability. Organizations needed to understand that browser-based security filters, while helpful, should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism against cross-site scripting attacks, and that additional layers of protection were essential for comprehensive security.