CVE-2005-0752 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Plugin Finder Service (PFS) in Firefox before 1.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a javascript: URL in the PLUGINSPAGE attribute of an EMBED tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0752 represents a critical security flaw in the Plugin Finder Service component of Mozilla Firefox browsers prior to version 1.0.3. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the browser's handling of embedded multimedia content, specifically when processing the PLUGINSPAGE attribute within EMBED tags. The Plugin Finder Service was designed to automatically locate and install appropriate plugins for multimedia content, but this functionality became exploitable due to improper sanitization of user-supplied data. The vulnerability resides in the browser's interpretation of javascript: URLs within the PLUGINSPAGE attribute, which could be manipulated to execute malicious code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent trust model of web browsers where certain attributes within HTML tags are processed with elevated privileges. When Firefox encounters an EMBED tag with a PLUGINSPAGE attribute containing a javascript: URL, the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL before attempting to process it. This oversight creates a path for remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes with the privileges of the browser itself. The flaw operates under CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, specifically manifesting as improper input validation in web browser contexts. This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security restrictions and execute arbitrary code on the victim's system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0752 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass a wide range of potential attacks that could compromise user systems and data integrity. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, modify browser settings, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote exploitation capability means that victims could be compromised simply by viewing a malicious webpage without any additional user interaction beyond normal browsing activities. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and represents a classic example of a browser-based code injection attack that could be used as a vector for more sophisticated attacks. The exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0752 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and security patches provided by Mozilla. Users should upgrade to Firefox version 1.0.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the PLUGINSPAGE attribute. Additionally, system administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block javascript: URLs in plugin-related attributes. Browser security configurations should be hardened by disabling automatic plugin installation features and implementing strict content security policies. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious javascript: URL patterns in web traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in browser security architecture, as highlighted in various security frameworks including NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure software development practices.