CVE-2004-0764 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla before 1.7, Firefox before 0.9, and Thunderbird before 0.7, allow remote web sites to hijack the user interface via the "chrome" flag and XML User Interface Language (XUL) files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in early versions of Mozilla applications including Firefox and Thunderbird that allowed remote attackers to manipulate user interface elements through improper handling of the chrome flag and XUL files. The issue stems from the browser's insufficient validation of chrome flags when processing XUL content, creating a pathway for malicious websites to inject unauthorized interface elements that could deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate application components. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Mozilla 1.7, Firefox 0.9, and Thunderbird 0.7, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple products in the Mozilla ecosystem.
The technical exploitation occurs when remote web sites utilize XUL files with the chrome flag set to false or when they manipulate XUL elements to appear as native application interfaces. This allows attackers to create deceptive user interface elements that can mimic legitimate browser components, potentially leading to phishing attacks or unauthorized access to user data. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious XUL content that can override normal browser chrome behavior, making it appear as though the malicious interface elements are part of the legitimate application rather than external content. This manipulation can occur through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, compromised websites, or through other means that deliver XUL content to vulnerable browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines fundamental security assumptions about browser isolation and user interface integrity. Users may be tricked into believing they are interacting with legitimate application components when they are actually engaging with maliciously crafted interface elements designed to harvest credentials or perform unauthorized actions. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to credential theft, data exfiltration, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can affect users across different operating systems and platforms, as the XUL framework is designed to be cross-platform and the chrome flag manipulation works consistently across supported environments.
Organizations should immediately update to versions that contain the patched implementations of chrome flag validation and XUL processing. The mitigation strategy involves ensuring all affected Mozilla applications are updated to versions 1.7 or later for Mozilla, 0.9 or later for Firefox, and 0.7 or later for Thunderbird. Network administrators should implement security policies that prevent access to untrusted websites and consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XUL content. Additionally, user education regarding phishing attacks and interface manipulation techniques should be emphasized to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper output neutralization for logs, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer protocols, specifically targeting the manipulation of user interface elements to deceive users and compromise security.