CVE-2008-4059 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The XPConnect component in Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.17 allows remote attackers to "pollute XPCNativeWrappers" and execute arbitrary code with chrome privileges via vectors related to a SCRIPT element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4059 represents a critical security flaw within the XPConnect component of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 2.0.0.17. This vulnerability specifically targets the mechanism that handles XPCNativeWrappers, which are essential components for bridging JavaScript and native C++ code within the browser's architecture. The issue arises from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate the wrapper objects used in the browser's chrome context, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted SCRIPT elements that trigger the pollution of XPCNativeWrappers. When a malicious script attempts to access or manipulate these wrapper objects, the flawed validation logic fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with chrome privileges. This privilege escalation is particularly dangerous because chrome privileges provide access to the browser's core functionality and system resources that are normally restricted from regular web content. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security boundaries that separate trusted browser components from untrusted web content, creating a direct avenue for attackers to bypass sandboxing mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform actions that would normally be restricted to the browser's internal components. This includes accessing sensitive system resources, modifying browser behavior, and potentially exfiltrating user data. The exploitation vector through SCRIPT elements makes this particularly concerning because such elements are commonly used in web applications and can be easily embedded in malicious websites or delivered through phishing attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in Mozilla's security model and highlights the importance of proper input validation and privilege management in browser security architectures.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which addresses Buffer Overflow in the context of improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting, as the exploitation involves script-based attacks. The flaw also relates to CWE-787, which covers Out-of-bounds Write conditions, indicating that the buffer management in XPCNativeWrappers was insufficient to prevent malicious data injection. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Firefox 2.0.0.17 or later, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious SCRIPT element usage in web traffic. Browser vendors should consider enhanced sandboxing mechanisms and more rigorous validation of native wrapper interactions to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of failing to address component-level vulnerabilities in complex browser architectures.