CVE-2014-6340 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 allows remote attackers to read content from a different (1) domain or (2) zone via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Cross-domain Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-domain information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11, directly impacting the browser's security model and cross-origin resource sharing mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cross-domain requests and zone isolation policies that should normally prevent unauthorized access to resources from different security domains. When exploited, this flaw allows remote attackers to bypass the same-origin policy that protects web browsers from accessing content across different domains or security zones, creating a significant attack surface for information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes malicious web content that attempts to access resources from different domains or security zones. This typically involves crafted web pages that leverage specific JavaScript or ActiveXObject behaviors to traverse domain boundaries that should normally be restricted. The flaw exists in the browser's security zone management system where domain restrictions and cross-domain policies are not properly enforced during web page rendering and resource access operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious websites that can access sensitive information from other domains or security zones, effectively breaking down the isolation mechanisms that separate trusted and untrusted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration from corporate networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access cached content, cookies, local storage, and other sensitive data that should remain isolated between different domains or security zones. The vulnerability affects the core security architecture of Internet Explorer and represents a failure in the browser's implementation of the web security model, potentially allowing attackers to gather intelligence about user activities, corporate resources, and sensitive data stored across different domains. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have access to multiple security zones within the same browser instance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper browser security updates and configuration changes that reinforce cross-domain restrictions. Organizations should ensure all Internet Explorer installations are updated to the latest security patches provided by Microsoft, as this vulnerability was addressed through specific security updates. Browser security policies should be reviewed and strengthened to enforce stricter cross-domain access controls, and users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites that may contain malicious content designed to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, network-level security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious cross-domain access patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a specific implementation weakness in the security zone enforcement mechanisms that should protect against cross-domain information disclosure attacks.