CVE-2005-0578 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Firefox before 1.0.1 and Mozilla Suite before 1.7.6 use a predictable filename for the plugin temporary directory, which allows local users to delete arbitrary files of other users via a symlink attack on the plugtmp directory.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0578 represents a critical security flaw in the Firefox web browser and Mozilla Suite applications that existed prior to their respective version 1.0.1 and 1.7.6 releases. This issue stems from the predictable naming convention used for temporary directories employed by these applications during plugin execution processes. The flaw specifically affects the plugtmp directory mechanism which is utilized to store temporary files during plugin operations, creating a window of opportunity for malicious local users to exploit the system's predictable file naming patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the principle of symlink attacks, where an attacker creates a symbolic link with a predetermined name that points to a target file or directory that they wish to modify or delete. In this case, the predictable filename for the plugin temporary directory allows attackers to manipulate the system's temporary file handling mechanism. When the browser application creates its temporary directory structure, it uses a naming pattern that can be easily anticipated by local users, making it possible to establish malicious symbolic links before the legitimate temporary directory is created.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it enables arbitrary file manipulation across different user accounts on the same system. This represents a significant privilege escalation risk within local environments where multiple users share the same machine. The vulnerability essentially allows a low-privileged local user to potentially delete, modify, or overwrite files belonging to other users who may be running the affected browser applications, creating a serious breach in system integrity and user isolation principles.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and classifications including CWE-353, which addresses the weakness of using predictable temporary file names, and relates to the broader category of path traversal and file system manipulation attacks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this issue maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and local persistence mechanisms, as it allows attackers to maintain access and control over system resources beyond their initial access point. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics related to the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers could leverage the temporary directory manipulation to execute malicious code through compromised plugin processes.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to the patched versions of Firefox 1.0.1 and Mozilla Suite 1.7.6, which addressed the predictable naming issue by implementing more secure temporary directory creation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and access controls to limit the potential impact of such attacks. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar predictable naming patterns in other applications and system components. Organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual temporary file creation patterns and symbolic link manipulations that may indicate attempts to exploit similar vulnerabilities.