CVE-2008-4060 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.17 and 3.x before 3.0.2, Thunderbird before 2.0.0.17, and SeaMonkey before 1.1.12 allow remote attackers to create documents that lack script-handling objects, and execute arbitrary code with chrome privileges, via vectors related to (1) the document.loadBindingDocument function and (2) XSLT.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 2.0.0.17 and 3.x versions prior to 3.0.2, along with Thunderbird and SeaMonkey products. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of document loading operations that allows remote attackers to manipulate the document object model in ways that bypass normal security restrictions. The flaw specifically targets the document.loadBindingDocument function and XSLT processing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with chrome privileges, which represents the highest level of system access within the browser environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way these applications handle XML Binding documents and XSLT transformations. When the document.loadBindingDocument function processes external content, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, allowing attackers to inject malicious XSLT code that can manipulate the document object model. This particular weakness enables attackers to bypass the normal security boundaries that separate user content from privileged chrome code, effectively allowing them to execute code with the same privileges as the browser itself. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-170, which deals with improper handling of potentially dangerous input, and specifically relates to improper input validation in web browser security contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once successfully exploited, the malicious code can access sensitive system resources, read/write files, execute arbitrary commands, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms. The chrome privilege escalation means that attackers can manipulate browser internals, access user data, and potentially compromise other applications running on the same system. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and command and control categories, where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft malicious content that can be loaded into the vulnerable browser instance. This typically involves creating specially crafted HTML or XML documents containing malicious XSLT transformations that leverage the document.loadBindingDocument function. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through email attachments, web pages, or other means of content delivery that users might encounter in normal browsing activities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying security patches, disabling XSLT processing where possible, and implementing network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in browser environments, particularly when dealing with dynamic content loading and transformation operations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when not properly secured against malicious input. The remediation process requires not only patching the specific vulnerability but also implementing broader security measures including regular security assessments, code reviews focusing on input validation, and maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations must prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems and consider implementing additional protective measures such as browser hardening configurations and user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation.