CVE-2008-2805 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.15 and SeaMonkey before 1.1.10 allow remote attackers to force the upload of arbitrary local files from a client computer via vectors involving originalTarget and DOM Range.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
This vulnerability exists in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 2.0.0.15 and SeaMonkey versions prior to 1.1.10, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to coerce clients into uploading arbitrary local files without user consent. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of DOM Range objects and the originalTarget property within the browser's event processing system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web content that manipulates the DOM Range API to access and transmit local file system data to remote servers.
The technical implementation involves leveraging the originalTarget attribute in DOM events to bypass normal file access restrictions. When a web page triggers a file upload operation, the vulnerable browser incorrectly processes the originalTarget reference, allowing malicious scripts to traverse the DOM structure and access local file paths that should otherwise be restricted. This flaw operates at the intersection of browser security boundaries, where the DOM Range API fails to properly validate file access requests originating from potentially malicious web content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a "Path Traversal" attack, specifically targeting file system access controls within browser environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to harvest sensitive information from compromised systems without user awareness or consent. An attacker could construct a malicious webpage that, when visited by a victim using an affected browser version, automatically scans the local file system and uploads confidential documents, credentials, or other sensitive data to a remote server controlled by the attacker. This capability represents a significant escalation from typical web-based attacks to full system compromise through unauthorized file access. The vulnerability allows for persistent reconnaissance activities and data exfiltration that can go undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected browser versions to the recommended secure releases. Organizations should implement network-based security controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures should include disabling unnecessary file system access capabilities and implementing strict content security policies. Additionally, security awareness training for users regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites is essential. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving file system access and data exfiltration, specifically targeting the T1074.001 sub-technique for data staging and T1566 for credential access through malicious web content. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated browser versions that may be susceptible to similar attacks.