CVE-2010-0182 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The XMLDocument::load function in Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.9 and 3.6.x before 3.6.2, Thunderbird before 3.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.4 does not perform the expected nsIContentPolicy checks during loading of content by XML documents, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via crafted content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0182 represents a critical content policy bypass flaw affecting major Mozilla-based applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This security weakness resides in the XMLDocument::load function implementation where the expected nsIContentPolicy checks are not properly enforced during XML document content loading operations. The flaw stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that should normally restrict access to certain content types based on predefined security policies. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability demonstrates improper access control through the failure to implement proper content filtering mechanisms. The issue allows malicious actors to craft specially designed content that circumvents the intended security boundaries that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system resources or network locations.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of XML document loading behavior within the affected applications. When XML documents are processed through the vulnerable load function, the normal content policy enforcement mechanisms are bypassed, enabling attackers to load content that would otherwise be restricted. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, email attachments, or crafted XML files. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Firefox 3.5.9 and 3.6.x 3.6.2, Thunderbird 3.0.4, and SeaMonkey 2.0.4, indicating a widespread impact across the Mozilla ecosystem. The bypass occurs because the XML loading process fails to properly validate content against the established security policies that should prevent loading of potentially harmful resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader security compromise scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to load unauthorized content including remote resources, local files, or malicious scripts that would normally be blocked by the content policy system. This capability enables a range of malicious activities including cross-site scripting attacks, information disclosure, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 which describes the use of malicious content to bypass security controls, and represents a classic example of how content filtering failures can lead to significant security breaches. Organizations using affected versions of these applications face increased risk of targeted attacks, particularly those involving social engineering or web-based exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0182 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of the affected software. Users should upgrade to Firefox 3.5.9 or later, Firefox 3.6.2 or later, Thunderbird 3.0.4 or later, and SeaMonkey 2.0.4 or later to address the vulnerability. System administrators should implement network-based controls to monitor and restrict XML content processing where possible, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and content policy enforcement in web browsers, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, content filtering systems, and regular security assessments to reduce the attack surface. Regular patch management procedures should be enforced to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.