CVE-2000-0958 in HotJava Browser
Summary
by MITRE
HotJava Browser 3.0 allows remote attackers to access the DOM of a web page by opening a javascript: URL in a named window.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0958 represents a significant security flaw in the HotJava Browser version 3.0 that was widely used during the late 1990s. This issue stems from improper handling of javascript: URLs within the browser's security model, specifically when these URLs are executed within named windows. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass certain security restrictions that should normally prevent access to the Document Object Model of web pages, creating a potential avenue for malicious code execution and data theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page constructs a javascript: URL that targets a named window, enabling the attacker to manipulate the DOM of the target page. This behavior violates the fundamental security principle of browser sandboxing that should prevent scripts from one origin from accessing or modifying content from another origin. The vulnerability specifically exploits the window naming mechanism in javascript to create a situation where the browser's security boundaries are weakened, allowing unauthorized access to page content that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to perform cross-site scripting attacks, extract sensitive data from web forms, manipulate page content, and potentially escalate privileges within the browser environment. This flaw particularly affects users who browse the internet with HotJava 3.0, which was commonly used in enterprise environments and educational institutions during that period. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in the browser's implementation of the same-origin policy, which is a fundamental security mechanism defined in web standards and referenced by CWE-94 as a code injection vulnerability.
Security researchers have classified this issue as a serious concern due to its potential for remote code execution and information disclosure. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into clicking malicious links that contain crafted javascript: URLs. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK framework category of Initial Access through malicious links and potentially Privilege Escalation through browser exploitation. Organizations using HotJava 3.0 were particularly vulnerable as the browser lacked proper input validation and security boundary enforcement for named window operations.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to a newer version of the HotJava browser that properly implements security boundaries for javascript: URL execution. Additionally, administrators should implement strict content filtering and monitoring of web traffic to detect suspicious javascript: URL patterns. Network security controls should be configured to restrict access to potentially malicious websites and implement proper web application firewalls that can detect and block such exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as an important lesson in the necessity of proper browser security implementation and the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The issue also highlights the importance of following security standards and best practices as defined in various web security frameworks and guidelines.