CVE-2008-3837 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.17 and 3.x before 3.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 1.1.12, allow user-assisted remote attackers to move a window during a mouse click, and possibly force a file download or unspecified other drag-and-drop action, via a crafted onmousedown action that calls window.moveBy, a variant of CVE-2003-0823.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
This vulnerability represents a sophisticated window manipulation attack that exploits the interaction between browser window management functions and user input events. The flaw exists in mozilla firefox versions prior to 2.0.0.17 and 3.x versions prior to 3.0.2, as well as seaMonkey versions before 1.1.12, creating a persistent security risk across multiple browser implementations. The vulnerability specifically targets the onmousedown event handler which can invoke window.moveBy functionality, allowing malicious actors to manipulate window positioning during mouse interactions. This represents a classic example of a user-assisted remote attack vector where the victim must interact with a malicious webpage for the exploit to succeed, though the attack mechanism itself demonstrates significant potential for abuse.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and event handling within the browser's window management system. When a crafted onmousedown action executes window.moveBy commands, it can manipulate the browser window's position in ways that may interfere with normal user interface operations. The attack leverages the ability to programmatically move windows during mouse click events, potentially causing windows to overlap or position in ways that could trigger unintended file downloads or other drag-and-drop operations. This vulnerability is classified under cwe-200 as "exposure of sensitive information" and relates to cwe-74 as "direct reference to file or directory" in its potential to force file operations. The attack mechanism operates through the browser's event handling architecture, specifically targeting the mouse event processing subsystem where window positioning commands are interpreted and executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple window manipulation to potentially enable more serious attacks through social engineering and user deception techniques. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that appear legitimate while simultaneously positioning browser windows in ways that may cause users to inadvertently trigger downloads or other actions. The ability to force file downloads through manipulated window positioning represents a significant threat vector for malware distribution and phishing attacks. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, potentially allowing attackers to bypass user interface security measures or create misleading user experiences that could trick users into performing unintended actions. The drag-and-drop functionality that can be triggered through this mechanism provides additional attack surface that may be leveraged for credential theft or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected browser versions and implementation of enhanced security policies for web content filtering. Organizations should ensure all firefox and seaMonkey installations are updated to versions that include the security fixes for this vulnerability. Browser security settings should be configured to restrict window manipulation capabilities, particularly for third-party content. The mitigation approach aligns with attack techniques described in the mitre attack framework under the category of "credential access" and "execution" where window manipulation can be used to facilitate more serious attacks. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated. Network administrators should implement content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious patterns related to this vulnerability. Additionally, browser security extensions that monitor and restrict window manipulation functions can provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper event handling validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of browser components that interact with user interface elements.