CVE-2004-2657 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
** disputed ** mozilla firefox 1.5.0.1 and possibly other versions preserves some records of user activity even after uninstalling which allows local users who share a windows profile to view the records after a new installation of firefox as reported for the list of passwords never saved web sites. note: the vendor has disputed this issue stating that "the uninstaller is primarily there to uninstall the application. it is not there to uninstall user data. for the moment i will stick by my module-owner decision."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2657 relates to improper handling of user data persistence in mozilla firefox versions 1.5.0.1 and potentially other releases on windows operating systems. This issue stems from the uninstallation process failing to completely remove all user-related records from the system, creating a data persistence problem that affects shared windows user profiles. The flaw manifests when users who share a windows profile install firefox after another user has previously used the application, allowing the new user to potentially access sensitive information left behind by the previous installation. The specific records mentioned include passwords that were never saved and websites that were visited, which are typically stored in browser data structures that are not properly cleaned during the uninstallation process.
This vulnerability represents a significant security concern within the context of shared computing environments and demonstrates poor data sanitization practices during application lifecycle management. The technical flaw lies in the uninstallation routine's failure to perform complete data cleanup operations, particularly affecting the windows registry entries, local storage files, and other user data containers that firefox maintains. The persistence of this data occurs because the uninstaller is designed primarily for application removal rather than comprehensive user data sanitization, leaving behind traces that can be accessed by subsequent users sharing the same windows profile. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of data isolation and proper cleanup of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential credential theft and unauthorized access to browsing history. When multiple users share a single windows profile, the presence of cached passwords and visited websites creates opportunities for unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive information without requiring additional authentication. The vulnerability affects not only the specific firefox versions mentioned but potentially other versions that exhibit similar uninstallation behavior. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where shared workstations or profiles are common, creating a vector for information leakage between users and potentially enabling social engineering attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in the application's security design philosophy, where the uninstallation process does not consider the security implications of data persistence.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several common attack patterns and security weaknesses documented in industry frameworks. The issue relates to CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and CWE-546, which addresses suspicious comments or code that may reveal information about the system. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1003.001, which involves OS credential dumping, and T1083, which covers file and directory discovery, as attackers could potentially exploit this to access previously stored credentials. Organizations should implement proper data sanitization procedures during application deployment and removal, including manual cleanup of browser data and registry entries. The vendor's response indicating that uninstallers are not designed for user data removal highlights a gap in security awareness and the need for users to manually ensure proper data cleanup when sharing systems or profiles. This vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes lifecycle management scenarios and proper data sanitization practices to prevent information leakage between users in shared computing environments.