CVE-2006-3802 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 1.5.0.5, Thunderbird before 1.5.0.5, and SeaMonkey before 1.0.3 allows remote attackers to hijack native DOM methods from objects in another domain and conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks using DOM methods of the top-level object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2021
This vulnerability resides in the cross-origin security model implementation of Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey browsers prior to specific patch versions. The flaw represents a critical breakdown in the same-origin policy that governs web browser security, allowing malicious actors to exploit the DOM method hijacking mechanism across domain boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the way these applications handle DOM method references when objects from different origins interact, creating an avenue for unauthorized code execution and data theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of cross-origin DOM method access within the browser's JavaScript engine. When a web page from one domain attempts to access or manipulate DOM methods belonging to objects from another domain, the security boundaries fail to properly enforce access restrictions. Attackers can leverage this by crafting malicious scripts that reference native DOM methods through the top-level object, effectively bypassing the security checks that should prevent such cross-domain interactions. This allows for the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the victim's session, enabling session hijacking, data exfiltration, and other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cross-site scripting attacks, as it fundamentally undermines the browser's security architecture. An attacker can exploit this weakness to perform actions such as stealing cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or extracting sensitive information from legitimate web applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the DOM level, meaning that even if other security measures are in place, the hijacking of native methods can bypass many traditional defenses. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple web applications and services that rely on these browser versions.
The mitigation strategy requires immediate patching of all affected browser versions, with security teams prioritizing deployment of Firefox 1.5.0.5, Thunderbird 1.5.0.5, and SeaMonkey 1.0.3 releases. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies, strict access controls, and regular security audits of web applications. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses in the code that allow for the execution of arbitrary code, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious DOM method access patterns, while developers should ensure that their applications properly validate cross-origin interactions and implement proper sandboxing mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of browser-based applications.