CVE-2005-1159 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The native implementations of InstallTrigger and other functions in Firefox before 1.0.3 and Mozilla Suite before 1.7.7 do not properly verify the types of objects being accessed, which causes the Javascript interpreter to continue execution at the wrong memory address, which may allow attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code by passing objects of the wrong type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1159 represents a critical type confusion flaw within the JavaScript engine of Mozilla Firefox and the Mozilla Suite applications. This issue stems from insufficient type validation in the native implementations of InstallTrigger and related functions that handle plugin and extension installations. The flaw occurs at the core level where the JavaScript interpreter fails to properly validate object types before executing operations, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Firefox 1.0.3 and Mozilla Suite 1.7.7, indicating this was a significant security gap that persisted for several major releases.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices and object types in programming languages. When the InstallTrigger functions receive objects of unexpected types, the JavaScript interpreter continues execution at incorrect memory addresses due to the lack of proper type checking mechanisms. This type confusion allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the application by carefully crafting malicious objects that appear valid but contain incorrect type information. The interpreter's failure to validate object types before dereferencing them creates a path for arbitrary code execution, as the program may attempt to execute instructions from memory locations that were never intended to be accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing both denial of service and potential remote code execution capabilities. An attacker could trigger application crashes through carefully constructed malicious web content, effectively causing denial of service attacks against targeted users. More critically, the vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, allowing them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in the context of web browsing, where users are constantly exposed to potentially malicious content from untrusted sources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates techniques consistent with ATT&CK tactic T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through code injection. Attackers could leverage this flaw by crafting malicious web pages that contain specially formatted objects designed to trigger the type confusion during InstallTrigger execution. The attack surface is broad since InstallTrigger functions are commonly used for plugin installation and extension management, making this vulnerability accessible through typical web browsing activities. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's type safety mechanisms that could be easily weaponized by threat actors.
This vulnerability serves as a prime example of how memory safety issues in web browsers can create severe security risks. The flaw highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and type checking in interpreted languages, particularly when dealing with native code integration. Security researchers and developers should implement comprehensive testing procedures that include type validation checks, and organizations should maintain robust patch management processes to address such vulnerabilities promptly. The incident underscores the need for continuous security auditing of browser components, particularly those handling user-supplied data and third-party integrations.