CVE-2005-0587 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Firefox before 1.0.1 and Mozilla before 1.7.6 allows remote malicious web sites to overwrite arbitrary files by tricking the user into downloading a .LNK (link) file twice, which overwrites the file that was referenced in the first .LNK file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
This vulnerability represents a sophisticated file overwrite attack targeting web browsers that leverages the Windows shortcut file format to execute malicious operations. The flaw exists in the handling of .LNK files within Firefox versions prior to 1.0.1 and Mozilla versions before 1.7.6, creating a dangerous intersection between browser functionality and operating system file management. The attack vector exploits the trust users place in web downloads while simultaneously manipulating the underlying operating system's file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the Windows operating system's interpretation of .LNK files, which are used to create shortcuts to files, folders, or programs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download content from untrusted sources.
The technical implementation of this exploit involves a two-stage attack process that begins with the initial delivery of a malicious .LNK file through a web page. When a user downloads this first .LNK file, the browser processes it according to its handling mechanisms for Windows shortcuts. The malicious .LNK file is constructed to reference a specific target file on the user's system, typically one that the attacker wants to overwrite or modify. The second stage occurs when the user downloads a second .LNK file, which is designed to overwrite the target file referenced in the first .LNK file. This creates a race condition or file manipulation scenario where the second .LNK file effectively overwrites the first, potentially replacing critical system files or user data with malicious content. The vulnerability stems from the browser's failure to properly validate or sanitize .LNK file references, allowing these files to be processed without adequate security checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrite operations, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including system compromise, data corruption, and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to replace critical system executables, configuration files, or user documents with malicious equivalents, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or complete system compromise. The attack requires user interaction through the download process, making it a form of social engineering that exploits user trust in web content. This makes it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may download files from various sources without adequate security awareness. The vulnerability also demonstrates the complexity of cross-platform security issues, where browser security models must account for operating system-specific file handling behaviors. Organizations using affected browsers face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or advanced technical knowledge from the attacker.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a specific instance of path traversal and file manipulation attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving file and directory permissions modification and privilege escalation through file system manipulation. The attack pattern also relates to T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the malicious .LNK files can execute commands or scripts when processed by the operating system. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected browser versions, implementation of browser security policies that restrict file type handling, and user education regarding the dangers of downloading unknown files. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing can provide additional layers of defense, while system-level controls including file permission management and integrity checking can help detect and prevent unauthorized file modifications. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their browser configurations and user environments.