CVE-2010-3178 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.14 and 3.6.x before 3.6.11, Thunderbird before 3.0.9 and 3.1.x before 3.1.5, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.9 do not properly handle certain modal calls made by javascript: URLs in circumstances related to opening a new window and performing cross-domain navigation, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla's browser ecosystem that undermines fundamental web security principles. The issue affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey across several version ranges, specifically targeting the implementation of cross-domain navigation restrictions. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of modal JavaScript calls within javascript: URLs, which creates a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the Same Origin Policy that serves as the cornerstone of web security. This policy prevents scripts from one origin from accessing resources from another origin, making it essential for maintaining user privacy and preventing unauthorized data access. The flaw manifests when javascript: URLs trigger modal dialogs during window opening operations, particularly when cross-domain navigation occurs in the context of a new window being created. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTML documents that manipulate the browser's modal dialog handling mechanism, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that normally prevent unauthorized cross-origin access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of JavaScript execution contexts and modal dialog behavior during window creation. When a javascript: URL is executed within a new window context, the browser's modal dialog handling system fails to properly validate the security context of the originating document. This allows malicious code to perform actions that would normally be restricted by the Same Origin Policy, particularly in scenarios involving cross-domain navigation. The vulnerability specifically exploits the timing and context of modal dialog execution, where the security checks occur after certain window creation and navigation operations have already been initiated. This creates a window of opportunity where the security boundaries are temporarily weakened, enabling attackers to access resources from different origins that should normally be restricted. The flaw operates at the intersection of browser window management, JavaScript execution, and security policy enforcement, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web content without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally weakens the security model that protects users from cross-site scripting attacks and unauthorized data access. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data from different domains, potentially including cookies, local storage, and other browser resources that should be isolated between origins. The exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to user accounts across different websites. Additionally, the vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack vectors, as the bypass of Same Origin Policy opens the door to numerous other security issues. The widespread impact affects users of multiple Mozilla products, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these browsers for daily operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special user privileges, making it accessible to any attacker who can convince a user to visit a malicious website, thereby creating a significant risk for both individual users and enterprise environments.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including upgrading to the patched versions of affected software products. Mozilla released updates for Firefox 3.5.14 and 3.6.11, Thunderbird 3.0.9 and 3.1.5, and SeaMonkey 2.0.9, which contain the necessary fixes for this issue. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where users may be browsing untrusted websites. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious javascript: URLs, enabling strict security policies in browser configurations, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around window creation and navigation operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, making it relevant to both access control and execution attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security extensions or enterprise security solutions that provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The fix implemented by Mozilla addresses the root cause by properly validating modal dialog contexts during cross-domain navigation operations, ensuring that security boundaries are maintained throughout the window creation and navigation process.