Attack Allegedly Compromises Encrypted Sites Via JavaScript

Security researchers at KU Leuven have discovered an attack technique, HEIST (HTTP Encrypted Information can be Stolen Through TCP-Windows), that helps compromise an encrypted website using only a JavaScript file hidden in a maliciously-crafted ad or page. Unlike many similar attacks, you don't need a man-in-the-middle spot to make this work -- it can gauge the size of an encrypted response (and thus enable an attack) all on its own.