CVE-2015-1765 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to read the browser history via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 contained a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to access browser history data through malicious web content. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain web page elements and their interaction with the browser's history management system. The flaw specifically manifests when Internet Explorer processes crafted web pages that exploit the browser's navigation and history APIs, allowing unauthorized access to previously visited URLs and browsing patterns. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a significant privacy risk as it could reveal sensitive user browsing behavior to malicious actors. Attackers could leverage this weakness by hosting malicious websites that utilize JavaScript or other web technologies to probe the browser's history storage mechanisms. The technical implementation involves exploiting how Internet Explorer handles certain DOM (Document Object Model) operations and navigation events, particularly when cross-origin requests are involved. This creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about user activities including visited websites, search queries, and potentially sensitive information. The operational impact extends beyond simple privacy concerns as this vulnerability could enable more sophisticated attacks such as targeting specific user interests, conducting social engineering campaigns, or supporting advanced persistent threat operations. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through phishing and social engineering. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Internet Explorer 9 through 11 were widely deployed enterprise browsers, making the potential impact substantial. Organizations using these browser versions faced significant risk exposure as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads. The remediation approach required Microsoft to implement proper access controls and validation mechanisms within the browser's history handling code. Security patches addressed the underlying flaw by ensuring that web content cannot access or manipulate browser history data without proper authorization. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input validation and access control in web browser implementations, particularly when dealing with sensitive user data. The incident underscored the need for comprehensive security testing of browser components that handle user privacy information and demonstrated how seemingly minor implementation flaws could result in significant privacy breaches. Organizations needed to implement immediate mitigations including browser updates, network monitoring for suspicious activity, and user education about safe browsing practices. The vulnerability also emphasized the critical importance of keeping browser software current and following security best practices for enterprise environments where legacy browser support was often required.