CVE-2015-2414 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 through 11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive browsing-history information via vectors related to image caching, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 through 11 and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that could potentially compromise user privacy and browsing security. The vulnerability stems from how Internet Explorer handles image caching mechanisms, creating a pathway for remote attackers to access sensitive browsing history information. The issue manifests through specific vectors related to image caching operations that inadvertently expose user navigation patterns and visited website information. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the interaction between Internet Explorer's caching subsystem and its handling of image resources during web page rendering. When users navigate to web pages containing images, the browser's caching mechanism stores these resources locally while potentially maintaining metadata about the original requests. Attackers can exploit this behavior by crafting malicious web content that triggers specific caching scenarios, allowing them to infer information about previously visited websites. The vulnerability specifically leverages the way cache entries are managed and accessed, creating a side-channel attack vector that reveals browsing history without direct exploitation of user credentials or system privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2414 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable sophisticated tracking and profiling activities by malicious actors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could reconstruct user browsing patterns, identify sensitive websites visited, and potentially correlate this information with other data sources to build comprehensive user profiles. This capability significantly undermines user privacy expectations and could be particularly damaging in contexts where browsing history reveals personal information, professional activities, or sensitive communications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of Internet Explorer across various user bases, including enterprise environments where such information disclosure could lead to targeted attacks or corporate espionage.
From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cache management and the need for secure handling of metadata in web browsers. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure timely deployment of Microsoft security updates, particularly given the long support cycle of Internet Explorer versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the risks associated with complex caching mechanisms and the necessity of thorough security testing for browser components that handle user data. Mitigation strategies should include regular security assessments of browser configurations, monitoring for suspicious caching behaviors, and implementing network-level protections against known attack patterns. This vulnerability also underscores the importance of user education regarding safe browsing practices and the potential risks of visiting untrusted websites that may exploit such information disclosure flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1566 for Credential Access, emphasizing its role in information gathering and potential escalation to more serious security incidents.