CVE-2005-4874 in Mozilla
Summary
by MITRE
The XMLHttpRequest object in Mozilla 1.7.8 supports the HTTP TRACE method, which allows remote attackers to obtain (1) proxy authentication passwords via a request with a "Max-Forwards: 0" header or (2) arbitrary local passwords on the web server that hosts this object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4874 represents a significant security flaw in the Mozilla Firefox browser version 1.7.8's implementation of the XMLHttpRequest object. This issue stems from the browser's support for the HTTP TRACE method, which was originally designed for debugging purposes but has been exploited in various attack scenarios. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that utilize XMLHttpRequest for cross-domain communication and demonstrates how seemingly benign HTTP methods can be weaponized to compromise authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of HTTP TRACE requests within the XMLHttpRequest implementation. When a web application makes a TRACE request using this object, it can potentially expose sensitive authentication credentials. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests with the "Max-Forwards: 0" header, which forces the HTTP trace mechanism to return the complete request as it was received by the server. This behavior allows attackers to intercept proxy authentication passwords that are transmitted through the trace response. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and specifically targets the way browsers handle HTTP method support in their underlying request objects.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to protected resources. When a web server hosts the vulnerable XMLHttpRequest object, attackers can leverage this flaw to extract local passwords that are stored on the server hosting the vulnerable application. This creates a scenario where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring user interaction or complex attack vectors, making it a readily available threat to web applications that utilize XMLHttpRequest for communication.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically relates to CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery. The attack pattern follows techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1566, specifically targeting credential access through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling TRACE method support in web applications, implementing proper HTTP header validation, and ensuring that browsers are updated to versions that properly handle HTTP methods. Additionally, network administrators should configure web servers to reject TRACE requests and implement proper input validation to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability across their infrastructure.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure coding practices and proper HTTP method handling in web applications. It demonstrates how browser vendors must carefully consider the security implications of supporting various HTTP methods and how web application developers need to validate and sanitize all incoming HTTP requests. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual HTTP TRACE requests and establish proper access controls to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities when they do occur.