CVE-2005-1158 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple "missing security checks" in Firefox before 1.0.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary Javascript into privileged pages using the _search target of the Firefox sidebar.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1158 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 1.0.3 that stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the Firefox sidebar functionality and exploits a weakness in how the browser handles the _search target parameter, creating a pathway for remote code execution through malicious JavaScript injection. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of privilege escalation and cross-site scripting concerns, fundamentally compromising the browser's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the absence of proper security checks within Firefox's sidebar component. When users interact with the sidebar's _search target functionality, the browser fails to validate the input parameters adequately, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes within the context of privileged browser pages. This flaw essentially bypasses the browser's security sandbox mechanisms that are designed to prevent untrusted content from accessing sensitive areas of the browser interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the Firefox sidebar, which has elevated privileges compared to regular web pages, making the injected JavaScript code capable of performing actions that would normally be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser itself. This creates a significant risk for users who may inadvertently visit compromised websites or click on malicious links that trigger the exploit. The vulnerability affects the core browser security model by undermining the principle of least privilege, where different parts of the browser should operate with minimal necessary permissions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as stealing cookies, modifying browser settings, accessing user data, and potentially escalating their attack to compromise the entire system. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and represents a classic example of how insufficient validation can lead to privilege escalation attacks. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," demonstrating how attackers can leverage JavaScript execution capabilities to compromise systems. The security implications extend to the broader Firefox security architecture, as this vulnerability exposed weaknesses in the browser's handling of privileged content and its failure to maintain proper security boundaries between different browser components. Organizations and users were particularly vulnerable because the exploit could be delivered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any specialized tools or extensive user interaction. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining robust input validation and privilege separation in browser security implementations, as even seemingly minor oversights in security checks can lead to significant compromise of user systems and data.