CVE-2006-1729 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 1.x before 1.5.0.2 and 1.0.x before 1.0.8, Mozilla Suite before 1.7.13, and SeaMonkey before 1.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by (1) inserting the target filename into a text box, then turning that box into a file upload control, or (2) changing the type of the input control that is associated with an event handler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical file disclosure issue affecting multiple Mozilla-based browsers including Firefox 1.x and 1.0.x versions, Mozilla Suite 1.7.12 and earlier, and SeaMonkey 1.0.0 and earlier. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file upload controls within the browser's rendering engine, creating a path for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially read sensitive files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves two distinct attack vectors that leverage browser DOM manipulation capabilities. The first vector requires an attacker to inject a target filename into a text input field and subsequently transform that field into a file upload control through JavaScript manipulation. The second vector involves modifying the type attribute of existing input controls that are associated with event handlers, effectively changing their behavior from regular input fields to file upload mechanisms. Both approaches exploit the browser's insufficient validation of element type changes and lack of proper access control checks when processing file upload operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users of affected browser versions as it enables remote file system enumeration and data exfiltration attacks. Attackers can potentially access configuration files, log files, and other sensitive data stored on the local system that would normally be protected from web-based access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as these files may contain credentials, system information, or application data that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users browse untrusted websites or where browser-based attacks are common, as the exploitation can occur without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which specifically addresses issues where applications fail to properly validate file paths and allow access to unauthorized locations. Additionally, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as the exploitation relies heavily on JavaScript manipulation to alter browser controls and execute the file disclosure attack. The attack also demonstrates characteristics of T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers would typically deliver malicious content through compromised websites or email attachments that trigger the vulnerable browser behavior.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected browser versions, with the most effective solution being the upgrade to patched versions of Firefox 1.5.0.2 or later, Mozilla Suite 1.7.13 or later, and SeaMonkey 1.0.1 or later. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to prevent access to known malicious domains and consider browser hardening measures such as disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites. Additionally, regular security audits of browser configurations and user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites can help reduce the attack surface. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential file disclosure events.