CVE-2004-2228 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
mozilla firefox before 1.0 is installed with world-writable permissions on mac os x which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2228 represents a critical privilege escalation issue affecting Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 1.0 on Mac OS X systems. This flaw stems from improper file permission configuration during the installation process, where the Firefox application directory and its components are created with world-writable permissions. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installation script or package management system that fails to properly set restrictive file permissions, allowing any local user to modify critical application files. This misconfiguration creates a fundamental security weakness that directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker with minimal privileges can modify the Firefox installation files, potentially replacing executable components with malicious code or modifying configuration files to redirect browser behavior. The world-writable permissions enable attackers to perform operations such as overwriting binaries, modifying library files, or injecting malicious code that will execute with the privileges of the Firefox process. This creates a persistent backdoor mechanism that can be leveraged to maintain access or escalate privileges further within the compromised system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-732 as improper limitation of a privilege set, specifically involving inadequate file permissions that allow unauthorized modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to compromise the browser environment and potentially the entire system. Once an attacker gains write access to the Firefox installation directory, they can manipulate the browser's execution flow to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This threat is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local users might attempt to exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to other users' data or system resources. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the browser environment, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, or persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate remediation through proper installation procedures that enforce restrictive file permissions on Firefox components. System administrators should ensure that Firefox installations on Mac OS X systems are configured with proper ownership and permissions, typically requiring the application directory to be owned by root with read-only permissions for other users. The recommended approach includes verifying that all installed files have appropriate access controls, specifically ensuring that only the intended user or system processes can modify critical components. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that no world-writable files exist within the Firefox installation path, and automated systems should monitor for permission changes that might indicate compromise attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file system permissions in maintaining system security and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system weaknesses.