CVE-2007-1878 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-zone scripting vulnerability in the DOM templates (domplates) used by the console.log function in the Firebug extension before 1.03 for Mozilla Firefox allows remote attackers to bypass zone restrictions, read arbitrary file:// URIs, or execute arbitrary code in the browser chrome, as demonstrated via the runFile function, related to lack of HTML escaping in the property name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1878 represents a critical cross-zone scripting flaw within the Firebug extension for Mozilla Firefox, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.03. This security weakness resides in the DOM templates system known as domplates that powers the console.log functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent fundamental browser security boundaries. The flaw stems from inadequate HTML escaping mechanisms within the property name handling of the runFile function, which operates within the browser's chrome context rather than standard web page domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust relationships between different security zones within Firefox's architecture. When Firebug processes console.log output containing DOM template data, the absence of proper HTML escaping allows malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than mere data. This failure directly maps to CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding. The vulnerability specifically targets the chrome zone, which operates with elevated privileges and access to system resources, making the attack surface particularly dangerous.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass zone restrictions that normally prevent web content from accessing local file system resources. The ability to read arbitrary file:// URIs represents a severe privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to access sensitive local files that should remain protected from web-based access. Furthermore, the vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution within the browser chrome, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate browser internals, steal session cookies, or perform other malicious activities that would otherwise be restricted by Firefox's security model. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, as well as T1074, covering data staging through local data persistence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines Firefox's security architecture by allowing remote code execution in privileged contexts. Organizations using vulnerable Firebug versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in browser extensions, particularly those operating in privileged contexts where security boundaries are most critical. The lack of HTML escaping in property names creates a direct attack vector that bypasses multiple layers of security controls, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where browser extensions are commonly used for debugging and development purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Firebug to version 1.03 or later, which implements proper HTML escaping mechanisms in the domplates system. Organizations should also consider implementing browser extension whitelisting policies and regular security audits of installed extensions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Additionally, security teams should monitor for other instances of similar cross-zone scripting vulnerabilities in browser extensions and ensure proper input sanitization practices are implemented throughout extension codebases. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of browser extensions, particularly those with access to privileged browser APIs, and emphasizes the importance of following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks in all contexts where user input is processed.