CVE-2005-1937 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
A regression error in Firefox 1.0.3 and Mozilla 1.7.7 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary Javascript from one page into the frameset of another site, aka the frame injection spoofing vulnerability, a re-introduction of a vulnerability that was originally identified and addressed by CVE-2004-0718.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1937 represents a critical frame injection flaw that emerged as a regression in Firefox 1.0.3 and Mozilla 1.7.7 browsers, effectively reintroducing a previously addressed security issue. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of framesets and cross-site scripting protection mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit the flawed implementation of frame navigation and content injection. The security regression occurred when the original fix for CVE-2004-0718 was either partially reverted or inadequately implemented in the subsequent browser versions, creating a persistent attack vector that could be leveraged by remote threat actors. The flaw essentially undermines the browser's ability to properly isolate content between different domains, particularly when dealing with nested frames and frame sets that span multiple websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of frame source attributes and inadequate sandboxing of frame content within the browser's rendering engine. When a malicious website attempts to inject JavaScript code into a frameset structure, the browser fails to properly sanitize or validate the frame source URLs, allowing arbitrary code execution within the context of the target frameset. This occurs because the browser's security model does not adequately enforce the same-origin policy when processing frame navigation events, particularly in scenarios involving nested frames or dynamically loaded content. The vulnerability specifically manifests when JavaScript code attempts to modify frame properties or navigate frames to malicious destinations, bypassing the normal security boundaries that should prevent cross-site script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks, credential theft, and data exfiltration operations. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when visited by unsuspecting users, inject malicious JavaScript into frames of legitimate websites, potentially redirecting users to fraudulent sites or capturing sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The frame injection spoofing vulnerability particularly affects users of vulnerable browsers who visit compromised websites, as the malicious code can manipulate the frameset structure to display deceptive content while maintaining the appearance of legitimate sites. This creates a significant risk for enterprises and individuals who rely on web-based applications and services, as the vulnerability can be exploited to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1937 require immediate browser updates to patched versions that properly implement frame validation and content isolation mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all users are running updated browser versions that contain the necessary security patches addressing the regression error. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level protections such as content filtering systems and web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious frame injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for phishing campaigns. Security teams should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict frame navigation and enforce strict content security policies to prevent unauthorized frame manipulation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the patched browser versions properly address the regression and that no other related vulnerabilities exist in the browser's frame handling mechanisms.