CVE-2007-5337 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.8 and SeaMonkey before 1.1.5, when running on Linux systems with gnome-vfs support, might allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files on SSH/sftp servers that accept key authentication by creating a web page on the target server, in which the web page contains URIs with (1) smb: or (2) sftp: schemes that access other files from the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey web browsers that affected users running these applications on Linux systems with gnome-vfs support. The issue stems from improper handling of specific URI schemes when establishing connections to remote servers, creating a potential privilege escalation vector through web-based attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets systems where the gnome-vfs library is present and actively utilized for file system operations.
The technical flaw manifests when browsers process web pages containing smb: or sftp: scheme URIs that reference other files on the same server. This occurs because the browsers fail to properly validate or sanitize the file paths when establishing connections through the gnome-vfs subsystem, which provides virtual file system access to various network protocols including SSH and SMB. The implementation allows for path traversal and unauthorized file access through crafted web content that leverages the underlying VFS layer's capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary file reading operations against SSH/sftp servers that accept key authentication. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when visited by an unsuspecting user, would cause the browser to attempt to access files on the target server through the vulnerable URI handling mechanism. This creates a scenario where an attacker can potentially read sensitive files that should be restricted, including configuration files, user data, or system files that are normally protected by proper access controls.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and demonstrates how URI scheme handling can create unexpected access vectors. The attack pattern follows the typical methodology described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and control communications and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of server-side request forgery where the browser acts as an unwitting proxy for unauthorized file access operations, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect the remote file system.
The primary mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions of Firefox 2.0.0.8 and SeaMonkey 1.1.5, which contain proper URI validation and path sanitization for the affected protocols. System administrators should also consider disabling gnome-vfs support in browser configurations when it is not required for essential functionality, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, network-level firewalls should be configured to restrict access to SSH/sftp servers from web-facing applications, and organizations should implement web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious URI schemes in web content. Regular security updates and patch management programs are essential to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerabilities that leverage underlying system libraries for unauthorized access.