CVE-2005-1475 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
The XMLHttpRequest object in Opera 8.0 Final Build 1095 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and perform unauthorized actions on other domains via a redirect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1475 represents a critical security flaw in Opera 8.0's implementation of the XMLHttpRequest object that fundamentally undermines cross-origin resource access controls. This issue specifically affects the browser's handling of HTTP redirects within XMLHTTP requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the same-origin policy that normally protects web applications from unauthorized cross-domain interactions. The vulnerability exists in the browser's security model where the XMLHttpRequest object fails to properly validate redirect targets, allowing attackers to manipulate the request flow to access resources on different domains without proper authorization. This flaw directly violates fundamental web security principles and represents a classic example of a cross-site scripting or cross-origin request forgery vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Opera's inadequate validation of redirect destinations within XMLHttpRequest operations. When a request is made using XMLHttpRequest and subsequently redirected, the browser fails to properly verify that the redirect target maintains the same security context as the original request. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages that initiate XMLHttpRequests to legitimate services and then manipulate the response to redirect to unauthorized domains. The redirect mechanism bypasses the normal security boundaries that should prevent such cross-domain access, effectively allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of the victim on systems they should not have access to. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the browser's security sandbox model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access to encompass potential full system compromise scenarios. An attacker could leverage this flaw to access sensitive data from other domains, perform unauthorized transactions, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, meaning that successful exploitation does not require special privileges or advanced techniques beyond crafting malicious web content. This makes it a significant threat to web application security and user privacy, as users could be unknowingly exposed to attacks through routine web browsing activities. The attack vector demonstrates how browser-based vulnerabilities can be exploited to create persistent security risks that affect multiple applications and services simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates and security patches from Opera to correct the XMLHttpRequest redirect handling mechanism. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as content security policies and web application firewalls to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated with the latest security patches. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and security boundary enforcement in web browser implementations. The issue also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of browser components, particularly those handling network communications and cross-domain interactions. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual XMLHttpRequest patterns or unauthorized cross-domain requests. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the complex security challenges inherent in modern web browsers and the critical importance of maintaining robust security controls throughout the entire browser ecosystem.