CVE-2004-1160 in Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Netscape 7.x to 7.2, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to spoof arbitrary web sites by injecting content from one window into a target window whose name is known but resides in a different domain, as demonstrated using a pop-up window on a trusted web site, aka the "window injection" vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The CVE-2004-1160 vulnerability represents a critical cross-domain scripting flaw in Netscape 7.x through 7.2 browsers that fundamentally undermines web security principles. This vulnerability exploits the browser's window management system to enable malicious actors to inject content from one domain into a target window of another domain, effectively bypassing the same-origin policy that forms the cornerstone of web browser security. The flaw specifically leverages the ability to reference windows by name across domain boundaries, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the content of trusted web pages through malicious pop-up windows.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the browser's window.open() and window.name properties, which allow scripts to access and manipulate windows by their assigned names. When a trusted website opens a pop-up window with a predictable name, an attacker can exploit this mechanism to inject malicious content into that window from a different domain. This occurs because the browser's security model fails to properly enforce cross-domain restrictions when dealing with named windows, enabling a form of window injection that can be used to display misleading content or execute malicious scripts within the context of a trusted domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple content spoofing, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated vector for social engineering attacks and phishing attempts. An attacker can create a convincing fake login page or malicious content within a trusted website's context, making it appear as though the content originates from the legitimate domain. This capability significantly increases the success rate of phishing attacks since users are more likely to trust content displayed within the context of a known, trusted website. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to hijack the trust relationship between users and websites, undermining the fundamental security assumptions that users make when browsing the web.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell and script-based commands. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through browser-based attacks, as it allows attackers to effectively gain elevated privileges within the context of a trusted domain. Organizations using affected Netscape versions face significant risk of credential theft, data exfiltration, and reputation damage when this vulnerability is exploited in the wild.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1160 require immediate patching of affected Netscape versions, as no effective workarounds exist for this fundamental browser security flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include regular updates, disable unnecessary pop-up functionality, and employ content filtering solutions to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and demonstrates the critical need for robust cross-domain security mechanisms in web browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls and user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation, though these measures cannot fully compensate for the underlying browser vulnerability.