CVE-2015-0072 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving an IFRAME element that triggers a redirect, a second IFRAME element that does not trigger a redirect, and an eval of a WindowProxy object, aka "Universal XSS (UXSS)."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2024
The CVE-2015-0072 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that fundamentally undermines web browser security mechanisms. This vulnerability operates as a universal cross-site scripting exploit that can bypass the essential Same Origin Policy protections that form the cornerstone of web security architecture. The flaw specifically leverages the interaction between multiple iframe elements and WindowProxy object evaluation to create a persistent attack vector that affects all supported versions of Internet Explorer, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of these browser versions in enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves a sophisticated chain of events where an attacker crafts malicious content that utilizes an initial iframe element to trigger a redirect operation, followed by a second iframe element that does not trigger a redirect, and finally executes an eval operation on a WindowProxy object. This complex sequence allows the malicious script to circumvent the browser's security boundaries and execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability's classification as a Universal XSS (UXSS) means that it can bypass various security mitigations and restrictions that typically protect against cross-site scripting attacks, rendering traditional defenses ineffective against this specific attack pattern.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0072 extends far beyond typical XSS vulnerabilities due to its ability to bypass the Same Origin Policy, which is one of the fundamental security models that protects user data and session integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, access sensitive information, and potentially gain full control over user sessions. The attack requires minimal user interaction, often succeeding through simple web page visits or email attachments that contain the malicious payload. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who can deploy large-scale campaigns without requiring extensive user engagement or sophisticated social engineering techniques.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. The attack pattern specifically exploits browser implementation weaknesses in how iframe elements and WindowProxy objects interact within the rendering engine, creating a persistent security gap that affects multiple browser versions simultaneously. Organizations running affected Internet Explorer versions face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, and compromised web applications that fail to properly sanitize user input. The remediation requires immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, as well as network-level protections such as web application firewalls and browser security hardening measures to mitigate the risk while waiting for full patch adoption.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing layered defense strategies. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as content security policies, input validation mechanisms, and regular security assessments to protect against similar vulnerabilities that may arise from browser implementation gaps. The vulnerability also underscores the need for continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities to address emerging threats that can exploit fundamental browser security mechanisms, as these types of flaws can have far-reaching consequences across enterprise environments where legacy browser support remains necessary.