CVE-2007-4041 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple argument injection vulnerabilities in Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.5 and 3.0alpha allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a NULL byte (%00) and shell metacharacters in a (1) mailto, (2) nntp, (3) news, (4) snews, or (5) telnet URI, a similar issue to CVE-2007-3670.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4041 represents a critical argument injection flaw affecting Mozilla Firefox versions 2.0.0.5 and 3.0alpha, with implications spanning multiple URI schemes including mailto, nntp, news, snews, and telnet. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the browser's URI handling subsystem, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The flaw specifically exploits the browser's failure to properly escape or filter special characters when processing URI arguments, particularly when encountering NULL bytes and shell metacharacters that can be embedded within the URI parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URI schemes that are designed to launch external applications or protocols. When Firefox encounters a maliciously crafted URI containing NULL bytes and shell metacharacters, the browser fails to properly sanitize these inputs before passing them to underlying system commands or external applications. This creates a command injection scenario where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable commands by the operating system, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the browser. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the URI parsing and execution logic within Firefox's networking stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through simple web page navigation or email links.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4041 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to system compromise, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects users who are browsing the web or opening email links, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns where attackers can craft malicious URIs that appear legitimate. The attack surface is broad due to the multiple URI schemes affected, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation across different user contexts. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities resulting from improper input handling and insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which encompasses the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and maintain control over compromised systems. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2007-3670 indicates a pattern of URI-based injection flaws in Firefox's protocol handling, suggesting systemic issues within the browser's security architecture. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment, input validation improvements, and user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links. Organizations should implement network-level protections and browser security policies to limit the exposure of affected systems, while security teams must monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of related vulnerabilities that may share similar attack vectors and underlying causes.