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CAPEC-472: Browser Fingerprinting

Attack Pattern ID: 472
Abstraction: Detailed
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+ Description
An attacker carefully crafts small snippets of Java Script to efficiently detect the type of browser the potential victim is using. Many web-based attacks need prior knowledge of the web browser including the version of browser to ensure successful exploitation of a vulnerability. Having this knowledge allows an attacker to target the victim with attacks that specifically exploit known or zero day weaknesses in the type and version of the browser used by the victim. Automating this process via Java Script as a part of the same delivery system used to exploit the browser is considered more efficient as the attacker can supply a browser fingerprinting method and integrate it with exploit code, all contained in Java Script and in response to the same web page request by the browser.
+ Typical Severity

Low

+ Relationships
Section HelpThis table shows the other attack patterns and high level categories that are related to this attack pattern. These relationships are defined as ChildOf and ParentOf, and give insight to similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels of abstraction. In addition, relationships such as CanFollow, PeerOf, and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar attack patterns that the user may want to explore.
NatureTypeIDName
ChildOfStandard Attack PatternStandard Attack Pattern - A standard level attack pattern in CAPEC is focused on a specific methodology or technique used in an attack. It is often seen as a singular piece of a fully executed attack. A standard attack pattern is meant to provide sufficient details to understand the specific technique and how it attempts to accomplish a desired goal. A standard level attack pattern is a specific type of a more abstract meta level attack pattern.541Application Fingerprinting
Section HelpThis table shows the views that this attack pattern belongs to and top level categories within that view.
+ Prerequisites
Victim's browser visits a website that contains attacker's Java ScriptJava Script is not disabled in the victim's browser
+ Mitigations
Configuration: Disable Java Script in the browser
+ Example Instances

The following code snippets can be used to detect various browsers:

Firefox 2/3
FF=/a/[-1]=='a'
Firefox 3
FF3=(function x(){})[-5]=='x'
Firefox 2
FF2=(function x(){})[-6]=='x'
IE
IE='\v'=='v'
Safari
Saf=/a/.__proto__=='//'
Chrome
Chr=/source/.test((/a/.toString+''))
Opera
Op=/^function \(/.test([].sort)
+ Taxonomy Mappings
Section HelpCAPEC mappings to ATT&CK techniques leverage an inheritance model to streamline and minimize direct CAPEC/ATT&CK mappings. Inheritance of a mapping is indicated by text stating that the parent CAPEC has relevant ATT&CK mappings. Note that the ATT&CK Enterprise Framework does not use an inheritance model as part of the mapping to CAPEC.
Relevant to the ATT&CK taxonomy mapping (see parent )
+ References
[REF-410] Gareth Heyes. "Detecting browsers javascript hacks". The Spanner. 2009-01-29. <http://www.thespanner.co.uk/2009/01/29/detecting-browsers-javascript-hacks/>.
+ Content History
Submissions
Submission DateSubmitterOrganization
2014-06-23
(Version 2.6)
CAPEC Content TeamThe MITRE Corporation
Modifications
Modification DateModifierOrganization
2022-09-29
(Version 3.8)
CAPEC Content TeamThe MITRE Corporation
Updated Example_Instances
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Page Last Updated or Reviewed: July 31, 2018