CVE-2004-1450 in Mozilla
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in LiveConnect in Mozilla 1.7 beta allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files in known locations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1450 represents a critical security flaw within the LiveConnect functionality of Mozilla Firefox version 1.7 beta released in 2004. This issue resides in the browser's ability to facilitate communication between JavaScript and Java applets, specifically within the LiveConnect component that serves as a bridge between these two execution environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized file access through maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness to retrieve files from predetermined system locations without proper authentication or authorization, effectively bypassing the browser's security model. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the intersection of client-side scripting and native system access, creating a pathway for attackers to exfiltrate sensitive information from user machines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the LiveConnect API's file access handling mechanism, which allows JavaScript code to make requests to Java applets that subsequently attempt to read files from the local filesystem. This process typically occurs through the use of the java.io.File class or similar file access methods within the Java environment, where insufficient validation occurs to prevent access to files outside of the intended scope. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes malicious JavaScript that invokes LiveConnect methods to access system resources, and the underlying Java applet implementation fails to properly sanitize or restrict the file paths being requested. This flaw falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, specifically related to inadequate privileges or permissions management within cross-language execution contexts. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the user to be visiting a malicious website that contains JavaScript code designed to leverage the LiveConnect functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1450 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive files that may contain user credentials, personal information, or system configuration details. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently in the background without user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to harvest cookies, cached authentication tokens, or other sensitive data that might be stored in predictable file locations. The attack vector typically involves phishing campaigns or compromised websites that serve malicious JavaScript code, which when executed through the browser's LiveConnect functionality, allows the attacker to access files in locations such as the user's home directory, browser cache, or application data folders. This vulnerability effectively undermines the browser's security sandbox and represents a significant bypass of the security model that separates web content from the underlying operating system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1450 primarily involve updating to a patched version of Mozilla Firefox, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of the browser. Organizations should implement immediate security updates and patches to all affected systems, particularly focusing on legacy browser installations that may still be in use. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious JavaScript patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software up to date. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control in cross-platform integration components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1566 for social engineering attacks. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unusual file access patterns on systems where browsers are installed, as this vulnerability could potentially be used as a reconnaissance tool to map system file structures before more targeted attacks are launched. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in integrated systems and the potential consequences of insufficient validation in cross-language communication components.