CVE-2005-0141 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Firefox before 1.0 and Mozilla before 1.7.5 allow remote attackers to load local files via links "with a custom getter and toString method" that are middle-clicked by the user to be opened in a new tab.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the web browser architecture of firefox versions prior to 1.0 and mozilla versions prior to 1.7.5. The issue stems from improper handling of local file access when users interact with specially crafted hyperlinks that employ custom getter and toString methods. The vulnerability specifically exploits the browser's tab opening mechanism and user interaction patterns to bypass normal security restrictions that should prevent local file system access from remote web content.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the manipulation of JavaScript object properties through custom getter and toString methods that are designed to return file system paths when accessed. When a user middle-clicks such a link, the browser's tab opening functionality inadvertently executes these custom methods, allowing the retrieval of local file contents that would normally be restricted. This creates an unauthorized local file access condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to read sensitive files from the victim's system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access confidential information stored locally on the victim's machine, including but not limited to configuration files, user data, and potentially sensitive system information. The attack requires user interaction through middle-clicking, which makes it somewhat less automated compared to other exploit vectors but still represents a serious risk in environments where users may encounter malicious web content. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where browsers are used to access both local and remote content without proper security boundaries.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where attackers leverage browser functionality to achieve privilege escalation or information disclosure. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign user interaction patterns can be weaponized to bypass security mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified under common weakness enumeration as a weakness in the design of access control mechanisms, specifically related to improper handling of local file system access during web navigation operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates to the patched versions, user education regarding suspicious link interactions, and network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious domains that may host such exploits. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and object property handling in web browser implementations to prevent similar issues in the future.
This issue underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing comprehensive security awareness training for users. The vulnerability demonstrates how complex browser functionality can create unexpected attack surfaces when object-oriented programming patterns are not properly secured against malicious manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as content security policies and browser hardening measures to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities in their environments.