CVE-2007-0778 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The page cache feature in Mozilla Firefox before 1.5.0.10 and 2.x before 2.0.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 1.0.8 can generate hash collisions that cause page data to be appended to the wrong page cache, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or enable further attack vectors when the target page is reloaded from the cache.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0778 represents a critical flaw in the page caching mechanism of Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This issue stems from weaknesses in the hash function implementation used to manage cached web page data, creating a scenario where legitimate page content can be incorrectly associated with different cache entries. The vulnerability affects versions prior to Firefox 1.5.0.10 and 2.x versions before 2.0.0.2, as well as SeaMonkey versions before 1.0.8, indicating a widespread impact across multiple browser iterations and product lines.
The technical flaw manifests through hash collision exploitation within the browser's page cache subsystem. When multiple web pages are processed through the caching mechanism, the hash function fails to properly differentiate between distinct pages, resulting in data corruption where information intended for one page becomes associated with another cache entry. This collision occurs due to inadequate hash distribution algorithms that do not sufficiently account for the variability of web content, particularly when dealing with dynamically generated or complex page structures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and is classified under CWE-225, which deals with weaknesses in hash algorithms and collision handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, creating significant security implications for users. Attackers can exploit this weakness to retrieve sensitive information that was previously cached for other web pages, potentially including authentication tokens, personal data, or confidential business information. When a target page is reloaded from the cache, the attacker can access cached content that should not be available, enabling information disclosure attacks that can compromise user privacy and system security. This vulnerability also serves as a potential enabler for more sophisticated attacks, as it can be combined with other techniques to create persistent access vectors or bypass security controls.
The security implications align with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password storage modules, as the cache corruption can expose sensitive session data. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in software input validation and memory management, as the system fails to properly validate or handle hash computations. Organizations using affected browser versions face substantial risk, particularly in environments where sensitive data is frequently accessed and cached. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic knowledge of web application security.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate browser updates to versions that contain the patched hash collision handling mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include configuring browser security settings to reduce caching of sensitive content, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous caching behavior, and establishing user awareness programs about the risks of accessing sensitive information through potentially compromised browsers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic hash implementation and the need for robust collision resistance in application-level caching systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as secure browsing protocols and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other applications and systems that rely on hash-based data structures for caching or indexing operations.