CVE-2005-2264 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Firefox before 1.0.5 allows remote attackers to steal sensitive information by opening a malicious link in the Firefox sidebar using the _search target, then injecting script into other pages via a data: URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
This vulnerability exists in mozilla firefox versions prior to 1.0.5 and represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to harvest sensitive user information through sophisticated social engineering techniques. The vulnerability specifically exploits the firefox sidebar functionality and leverages the _search target attribute to manipulate how malicious content is loaded and executed within the browser environment. The attack vector involves crafting a malicious link that when opened in the firefox sidebar utilizes the _search target to inject script code into other web pages through data: URLs, creating a persistent threat that can capture user credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within firefox's sidebar handling mechanisms. When a user clicks on a malicious link that opens in the sidebar with the _search target, the browser fails to properly sanitize the injected content before rendering it in other contexts. This allows attackers to leverage the data: URL scheme to execute arbitrary javascript code that can access and exfiltrate sensitive information from other pages within the same browser session. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper context isolation between different browser components and improper handling of cross-context data flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information theft to encompass potential full session compromise and credential hijacking. Attackers can construct malicious links that appear legitimate to users, making this vector particularly dangerous for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. The vulnerability affects users who browse the web with firefox versions before 1.0.5, and the attack can be executed through various means including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains access to any sensitive information that the victim has entered on web pages, including login credentials, personal data, and financial information, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and CWE-20 Improper Input Validation categories, demonstrating how inadequate security controls in web browsers can create persistent threats for users. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, highlighting the intersection of browser security flaws with network-based attack vectors. Organizations should immediately update to firefox 1.0.5 or later versions to mitigate this risk, while implementing additional security measures such as content security policies, browser security extensions, and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering techniques. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper input validation and context isolation in browser security architecture, as similar flaws could potentially exist in other web applications and browser components that fail to properly sanitize cross-context data flows.