CVE-2017-0210 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer does not properly enforce cross-domain policies, which could allow an attacker to access information from one domain and inject it into another domain, aka "Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0210 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer that stems from improper enforcement of cross-domain security policies. This weakness allows attackers to exploit the browser's insufficient domain isolation mechanisms to access sensitive information from one domain and subsequently inject malicious content into another domain, fundamentally undermining the core security principle of domain separation that web browsers must maintain. The flaw specifically affects Internet Explorer versions 11.0.15063.0 and earlier on Windows 10 systems, as well as older Windows versions where Internet Explorer remains the primary browser. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests due to Internet Explorer's failure to properly validate and enforce cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) policies and same-origin policy restrictions. The browser incorrectly processes certain cross-domain requests and resource access patterns, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the browser's security boundaries. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious content on a compromised domain and using techniques such as cross-site scripting or cross-domain data injection to bypass the security restrictions that should normally prevent one domain from accessing another's resources. The vulnerability specifically relates to how Internet Explorer handles JavaScript execution contexts and resource loading across different domains, creating an attack surface where information can be leaked between domains and malicious code can be injected into trusted browsing contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0210 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges from a standard user context to a higher-privilege level within the browser environment. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads, where users visiting malicious sites are automatically exploited without their knowledge. The flaw enables attackers to access cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive data that should be isolated between different domains, potentially allowing them to hijack user sessions, access corporate networks, or perform unauthorized transactions. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate resources, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors.
Organizations and security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Microsoft has released security patches through the monthly security update cycle that address the underlying cross-domain policy enforcement issues in Internet Explorer. The recommended approach includes immediate deployment of the applicable security updates and ensuring that all Internet Explorer installations are fully patched. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing stricter browser security policies, including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing content security policies, and using security software that can detect and block malicious cross-domain activities. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may use the privilege escalation to execute malicious scripts within the compromised browser environment. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should also be configured to monitor for suspicious cross-domain resource access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.