CVE-2003-1492 in Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Netscape Navigator 7.0.2 and Mozilla allows remote attackers to access cookie information in a different domain via an HTTP request for a domain with an extra . (dot) at the end.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1492 represents a significant cross-domain cookie access flaw that affected Netscape Navigator 7.0.2 and Mozilla web browsers. This security issue stems from improper handling of domain validation during cookie storage and retrieval processes, creating a potential avenue for attackers to bypass standard web security mechanisms. The flaw specifically exploits how browsers interpret domain names with trailing dots, which should normally be treated as equivalent to their non-trailing-dot counterparts according to standard internet protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's cookie management system failing to properly normalize domain names before comparing them against stored cookie information. When a web server sends a cookie with a domain attribute ending in a period, the affected browsers do not correctly recognize this as equivalent to the same domain without the trailing period. This inconsistency allows an attacker to craft HTTP requests that can access cookies belonging to other domains, effectively breaking the fundamental security boundary that separates different web domains.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for users of the affected browsers, as it enables session hijacking and credential theft across different domains. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal authentication cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive information that should remain isolated between different web properties. The vulnerability particularly affects users who visit multiple websites, as it allows attackers to access cookies from previously visited domains, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive data. This type of cross-site scripting attack falls under the category of cookie manipulation and session management flaws that have been consistently identified as critical security risks in web applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, particularly those involving web application security breaches and cross-site scripting techniques. This issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and domain name normalization in security-critical applications. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and CWE-345, which addresses insufficient input validation. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability was part of a broader class of issues affecting early web browsers where domain validation was not properly implemented, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of core browser functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve both immediate browser updates and network-level protections. Users should upgrade to patched versions of Netscape Navigator and Mozilla browsers, while system administrators should ensure that all affected systems are updated promptly. Additionally, organizations should implement proper network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual cookie access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following security best practices such as implementing secure cookie attributes, using proper domain validation, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications and browser configurations. This case serves as a reminder of how seemingly minor implementation details in security-critical software can create significant vulnerabilities that affect user privacy and system integrity.