CVE-2016-0069 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via unspecified vectors, aka "Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0068.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0069 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11 that enables remote attackers to circumvent the fundamental Same Origin Policy mechanism. This weakness operates as an elevation of privilege vulnerability, allowing adversaries to execute unauthorized actions that should be restricted by web browser security models. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of cross-origin resource sharing and access controls, creating a pathway for attackers to access resources that should remain isolated between different origins. The issue is particularly concerning because it undermines the core security architecture that separates web content from different domains, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive data, manipulate browser functionality, or execute malicious code within the context of other domains. Unlike CVE-2016-0068 which addressed different aspects of Internet Explorer security, this vulnerability specifically targets the enforcement mechanisms that govern how browsers handle requests between different origins, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where multiple web applications interact through the same browser instance.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that manipulate how Internet Explorer processes cross-origin requests and maintains security boundaries. This flaw likely involves improper validation or enforcement of security policies when handling requests from different domains, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious web pages that can access resources from other origins without proper authorization. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform actions that should be restricted by the browser's security model, including accessing cookies, local storage, or other domain-specific resources. Attackers may leverage this weakness by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through phishing campaigns that direct victims to exploit this vulnerability. The technical implementation appears to involve the browser's security sandbox mechanisms failing to properly isolate different origins, which could stem from flaws in how the browser handles specific HTTP headers, JavaScript execution contexts, or DOM manipulation operations that should be restricted between different security domains. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant deviation from the expected behavior of web browser security models.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0069 extends far beyond individual user sessions, potentially affecting entire enterprise environments where Internet Explorer is the primary browser for business applications. Organizations running legacy systems that depend on IE9 through IE11 are particularly vulnerable, as these browsers lack modern security features and are often used for internal applications that require elevated privileges. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access corporate data, perform unauthorized transactions, or escalate privileges to gain administrative access to systems. Security teams face significant challenges in defending against this vulnerability because it operates at the browser level and can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, compromised third-party applications, or social engineering campaigns. The impact is amplified in environments where users access multiple applications through a single browser instance, as a successful exploitation could potentially compromise access to various enterprise systems, databases, and applications that rely on browser-based authentication and session management. This vulnerability also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks, as attackers who gain access through this vector can potentially use the compromised browser session to access additional resources that are normally protected by cross-origin restrictions.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through Microsoft's security updates and patches that address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems running unsupported versions of Internet Explorer. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary features, configuring security zones appropriately, and deploying additional network-level protections to detect and block malicious traffic. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malicious web content. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of Internet Explorer and ensure that all users are transitioned to modern browser versions that have proper security controls and are actively supported with security updates. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface for legacy applications that may still require older browser versions. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, as well as monitoring network traffic for indicators of compromise related to this specific vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the browser's security model as a means to gain elevated access to system resources and information.