CVE-2009-3008 in K-Meleon
Summary
by MITRE
K-Meleon 1.5.3 allows context-dependent attackers to spoof the address bar, via window.open with a relative URI, to show an arbitrary file: URL after a victim has visited any file: URL, as demonstrated by a visit to a file: document written by the attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3008 represents a significant security flaw in K-Meleon version 1.5.3 that enables context-dependent attackers to perform address bar spoofing through malicious use of the window.open function with relative URIs. This vulnerability operates within the realm of web browser security and specifically targets the user interface integrity mechanisms that browsers employ to display URL information to users. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the browser's address bar display, creating a deceptive environment where users may be misled about the actual origin of web content they are viewing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in how K-Meleon handles relative URI references within the window.open JavaScript function when combined with file: protocol URLs. When a victim visits a file: URL that has been crafted by an attacker, subsequent calls to window.open with relative URIs can manipulate the browser's address bar to display arbitrary file: URLs. This behavior stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of URI references within the browser's navigation handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to present misleading address bar information that appears legitimate to users. The vulnerability specifically leverages the browser's handling of relative paths in conjunction with file protocol URLs to achieve the spoofing effect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it represents a serious threat to user security and trust in the browser environment. Users may be misled into believing they are visiting legitimate websites when they are actually interacting with malicious content, potentially leading to phishing attacks, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only a single initial visit to a malicious file: URL to establish the attack vector, after which the attacker can manipulate the browser's display to show arbitrary URLs. This creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional user interaction beyond the initial compromise.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which describes URL Redirector Abuse, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1056.1001 for Input Injection. The flaw represents a browser-based deception mechanism that exploits the trust users place in address bar information, similar to how other browser vulnerabilities in the same category have been exploited. Security researchers have noted that such address bar spoofing vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they directly undermine user confidence in the browser's security indicators. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-20, which covers input validation issues, as the problem arises from insufficient validation of URI references within the browser's JavaScript execution environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3008 should focus on immediate browser updates and patches to address the underlying URI handling flaw. Users should be advised to avoid visiting untrusted file: URLs and to exercise extreme caution when navigating web content that may have been manipulated through such vulnerabilities. Browser vendors should implement stricter validation of URI references within window.open functions, particularly when dealing with file protocol URLs. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict the ability of web pages to manipulate address bar display, and providing users with enhanced warnings when visiting file: protocol URLs. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections and monitoring for suspicious URI patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper URI validation in web browser implementations and the potential consequences of inadequate input sanitization in security-sensitive contexts.