CVE-2014-6346 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6346 represents a critical cross-domain information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11. This security weakness stems from improper handling of cross-domain requests within the browser's security model, specifically affecting how Internet Explorer manages content access across different domains and security zones. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass standard security restrictions that normally prevent web pages from accessing content from different domains, creating a significant risk for users who browse the internet with these affected browser versions.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves Internet Explorer's failure to properly enforce cross-origin resource sharing policies and security zone boundaries. When users visit malicious websites, the vulnerable browser can be coerced into loading and exposing content from other domains or security zones that should normally be restricted. This occurs through crafted web content that exploits the browser's object model and security mechanisms, allowing attackers to read sensitive information that should remain isolated between different security contexts. The vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's handling of cross-domain requests and resource access controls, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive data, user credentials, or confidential information from different domains that the user might have visited or authenticated with. This cross-domain access can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have active sessions with multiple applications or services across different domains. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Internet Explorer and could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about user activities, or potentially escalate privileges by accessing data from other domains or security zones that should remain isolated from each other.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6346 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, as Microsoft released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that security zones are properly configured and that cross-domain access restrictions are maintained. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and awareness of potential phishing attacks that might leverage this vulnerability is essential for comprehensive protection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting web protocols and browser security mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper browser security configurations to prevent exploitation of fundamental security flaws in web browsers.