CVE-2016-0194 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 allows remote attackers to bypass file permissions and obtain sensitive information via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0194 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 that enables remote attackers to circumvent file permission controls and access sensitive data. This vulnerability operates through a crafted website that exploits inherent weaknesses in how Internet Explorer handles file access controls, particularly within its security model that should normally prevent unauthorized access to restricted files. The flaw resides in the browser's implementation of security boundaries that are supposed to protect users from malicious web content attempting to access local system resources. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Information Exposure" where the system inadvertently reveals information that should remain protected, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper access control mechanisms within Internet Explorer's rendering engine and security sandbox. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that leverage specific browser behaviors to bypass normal file permission checks, allowing them to read files that should be restricted based on user permissions or system security policies. This occurs through manipulation of the browser's handling of local file system access and cross-domain security policies that should normally prevent such unauthorized access patterns. The vulnerability essentially creates a loophole in the browser's security architecture where legitimate security boundaries are not properly enforced, enabling attackers to escalate their privileges and access restricted information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, particularly in scenarios involving users with elevated privileges or access to sensitive organizational data. The information disclosure could potentially expose confidential documents, system configuration files, user credentials stored in local cache, or other sensitive data that should remain protected from web-based attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that have not fully migrated away from older Internet Explorer versions. According to ATT&CK technique T1083, this vulnerability enables adversaries to discover system information, which can be used to further refine their attack strategies and identify additional targets within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0194 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions through Microsoft's security updates, as this represents the most effective approach to resolving the underlying security flaw. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict security policies, and using enhanced security zones can provide additional layers of protection. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Internet Explorer versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and highlights the risks associated with continuing to support legacy browser versions that may contain unpatched security flaws. Regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the information disclosure could serve as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks.