CVE-2009-2061 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 3.0.10 processes a 3xx HTTP CONNECT response before a successful SSL handshake, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary web script, in an https site s context, by modifying this CONNECT response to specify a 302 redirect to an arbitrary https web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2061 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 3.0.10 that fundamentally undermines the integrity of secure HTTPS communications. This issue stems from the browser's improper handling of HTTP CONNECT responses during SSL/TLS handshake processes, creating a window of opportunity for sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks. The flaw specifically manifests when Firefox encounters a 3xx HTTP response code during an SSL connection establishment, allowing attackers to manipulate the connection flow before the secure handshake is completed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly validate the SSL handshake sequence before processing HTTP redirect responses. When Firefox receives a 3xx response code, particularly a 302 redirect, during the initial SSL connection phase, it processes this response without waiting for the successful completion of the secure handshake. This premature response processing creates a security gap where attackers can inject malicious content into the connection flow, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of an HTTPS site. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the browser and web servers, enabling attackers to redirect users to malicious sites while maintaining the appearance of secure communication.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users conducting sensitive transactions over HTTPS connections. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking, data interception, and credential theft without users being aware of the compromise. The attack vector specifically targets the HTTPS protocol's integrity guarantees, undermining the fundamental security assumptions that users rely upon when browsing secure websites. This vulnerability affects all users of Firefox versions prior to 3.0.10 and can be exploited in various network environments including public Wi-Fi networks, corporate networks, and any scenario where HTTPS traffic is expected to remain secure.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2061 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 3.0.10 or later, which implements proper SSL handshake validation before processing HTTP redirect responses. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as SSL stripping protection, certificate pinning, and monitoring for unusual HTTP redirect patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1041, representing network protocol manipulation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to ensure all Firefox installations are updated and implement network security controls that can detect and prevent such redirect-based attacks, particularly in environments where sensitive data is transmitted over HTTPS connections.