CVE-2015-2410 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 11 allows remote attackers to determine the existence of local files via a crafted stylesheet, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11 contained a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to determine the existence of local files on affected systems. This vulnerability originated from improper handling of crafted stylesheet content that could be exploited through malicious web pages or documents. The flaw specifically manifested when Internet Explorer processed external stylesheet references that contained file path information, allowing attackers to infer whether specific local files existed on the target system through subtle differences in rendering behavior or error responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploited the way Internet Explorer resolved and processed external style sheets, particularly when encountering malformed or specially crafted CSS references. When a malicious stylesheet referenced local files through absolute or relative paths, the browser's rendering engine would attempt to access these resources and respond differently based on whether the files existed locally. Attackers could leverage this behavior to perform reconnaissance activities, mapping out local file structures and identifying sensitive files or system components that might otherwise remain hidden.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, "System Information Discovery." The impact of exploitation extends beyond simple file enumeration, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can inform subsequent attack phases. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it required no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it highly effective for automated exploitation campaigns. The attack surface was extensive given that Internet Explorer was widely deployed across enterprise environments, and the vulnerability affected multiple versions simultaneously.
The operational implications of this vulnerability were severe, as it enabled attackers to gather intelligence about target systems without requiring elevated privileges or specific system access. Security professionals noted that this type of information disclosure could lead to more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or targeted exploitation of other system vulnerabilities. Organizations that relied heavily on Internet Explorer for business operations faced significant risk, as attackers could use this information to craft more effective targeted attacks against specific systems or users within their environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability included applying the relevant Microsoft security updates that addressed the stylesheet processing behavior, implementing proper network segmentation to limit access to sensitive systems, and deploying web application firewalls that could detect and block suspicious stylesheet references. Security teams also recommended disabling external stylesheet loading where possible and implementing strict content security policies to prevent loading of untrusted CSS content. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input validation and resource handling in web browsers, particularly when processing external references that could potentially reveal system information to remote attackers.