Paper: Socket Capable Browser Plugins Result In Transparent Proxy Abuse

[robert () webappsec org]

Abstract
"Transparent proxies allow organizations to influence and monitor the traffic from its users without their knowledge 
or participation. Transparent proxies act as intermediaries between a user and end destination, and aren't generally 
apparent to users sitting behind them. Enterprises, Hotels, and Internet Service Providers often use transparent proxy 
products to lower bandwidth consumption,speed up page loads for their users, and for monitoring and filtering of web 
surfing. When certain transparent proxy architectures are in use an attacker can achieve a partial Same Origin Policy 
Bypass resulting in access to any host reachable by the proxy via the use of client plug-in technologies (such as 
Flash, 
Applets, etc) with socket capabilities. This write up will describe this architecture, how it may be abused by Flash, 
its existence in various network layouts, and mitigations."

Paper Link:
http://www.thesecuritypractice.com/the_security_practice/2009/03/socket-capable-browser-plugins-result-in-transparent-proxy-abuse.html

Regards,
- Robert