CVE-2005-0142 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Firefox 0.9, Thunderbird 0.6 and other versions before 0.9, and Mozilla 1.7 before 1.7.5 save temporary files with world-readable permissions, which allows local users to read certain web content or attachments that belong to other users, e.g. content that is managed by helper applications such as PDF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2019
This vulnerability affects mozilla-based applications including firefox 0.9 and thunderbird 0.6, along with mozilla 1.7 versions prior to 1.7.5, representing a critical security flaw in temporary file handling mechanisms. The issue stems from improper permission settings during file creation processes where temporary files are generated with world-readable permissions instead of restrictive access controls. This flaw allows local users to access sensitive data that should remain private between different user sessions or applications. The vulnerability specifically impacts temporary files created during web browsing activities and email attachment handling, particularly those managed by helper applications such as pdf viewers or other content handlers that require temporary storage of sensitive material.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly set file permissions during temporary file creation. When applications generate temporary files to store web content or email attachments, they should typically create these files with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access. However, in affected versions, the temporary files are created with permissions that allow any user on the system to read their contents. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where local users can access data that belongs to other users, including sensitive web content, email attachments, and potentially confidential information processed through helper applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables persistent unauthorized access to user data across different application contexts. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access private web pages, email attachments, or other sensitive content that was processed through the affected applications. This becomes particularly concerning when helper applications are involved, as these often handle sensitive document types such as pdf files, office documents, or other content that may contain confidential information. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor for local users to access cross-user data, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of application isolation and user privacy.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-732, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers data from local system. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation in temporary file management, where the security principle of least privilege is violated. Organizations using these affected versions face significant risks including potential data breaches, privacy violations, and compliance issues, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same system or where sensitive information is processed through web browsers or email clients.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected applications to the latest stable versions that address the temporary file permission handling. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unauthorized access to temporary directories and consider implementing additional access controls or file system permissions that limit access to temporary file locations. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their browser and email client configurations to identify similar permission-related vulnerabilities in other applications. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions, implementing proper file permission controls, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.