CVE-2009-0358 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 3.x before 3.0.6 does not properly implement the (1) no-store and (2) no-cache Cache-Control directives, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by using the (a) back button or (b) history list of the victim s browser, as demonstrated by reading the response page of an https POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0358 represents a critical flaw in Mozilla Firefox 3.x browsers prior to version 3.0.6 where the implementation of HTTP Cache-Control directives fails to properly enforce security measures. This weakness specifically affects the no-store and no-cache directives that are fundamental components of web application security protocols designed to prevent sensitive data from being cached or stored in browser memory. The vulnerability exploits the browser's handling of cached responses and demonstrates how improper cache management can lead to information disclosure risks.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when Firefox fails to correctly process the Cache-Control headers sent by web servers. When a web application sends responses with no-store or no-cache directives, these headers instruct browsers not to store the response content in memory or disk caches. However, the vulnerability in Firefox 3.x before 3.0.6 allows cached responses to persist in the browser's history and cache mechanisms, creating a scenario where subsequent navigation through the back button or history list can retrieve previously cached sensitive data. This behavior directly violates the expected security semantics of the Cache-Control protocol and creates a pathway for unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local attackers to exploit the browser's caching mechanisms to access sensitive information that should have been protected by cache control directives. Attackers can leverage this weakness by first performing an https POST request containing sensitive data, then using the browser's back navigation or history features to retrieve the cached response page. This attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can expose authentication tokens, personal information, financial data, or other confidential content that was intended to be protected through proper cache control implementation. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security model of web applications that rely on cache control headers to protect sensitive data transmission.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-521 (Weak Password Requirements) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing a clear failure in proper information handling and access control. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566 (Phishing) and T1555 (Credentials from Password Stores) as it enables attackers to harvest sensitive information through browser-based cache manipulation. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through normal browser navigation, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may access sensitive applications through Firefox browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to Firefox version 3.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper Cache-Control directive implementation. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as configuring web applications to use additional security headers like X-Content-Type-Options and Strict-Transport-Security to provide layered protection. Browser security policies should be reviewed to ensure proper cache management, and users should be educated about the risks of using outdated browser versions. Network administrators should monitor for continued use of vulnerable Firefox versions and consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation across all endpoints.