CVE-2010-3399 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The js_InitRandom function in the JavaScript implementation in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.10 through 3.5.11, 3.6.4 through 3.6.8, and 4.0 Beta1 uses a context pointer in conjunction with its successor pointer for seeding of a random number generator, which makes it easier for remote attackers to guess the seed value via a brute-force attack, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-3171.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3399 represents a significant weakness in the random number generation mechanism within Mozilla Firefox's JavaScript engine. This flaw affects versions 3.5.10 through 3.5.11, 3.6.4 through 3.6.8, and 4.0 Beta1, where the js_InitRandom function employs a context pointer alongside its successor pointer to initialize the random number generator. The technical implementation of this seeding mechanism creates predictable patterns that significantly weaken the cryptographic strength of the generated random values.
The core technical flaw lies in how the random number generator initialization process incorporates pointer values from the JavaScript execution context. When a context pointer is combined with a successor pointer for seeding, it introduces deterministic elements that reduce the entropy of the random sequence. This approach makes the seed value susceptible to brute-force attacks since attackers can exploit the predictable relationship between the context pointer and the generated seed. The vulnerability specifically impacts the quality of randomness used in cryptographic operations, potentially compromising security-sensitive applications that depend on proper random number generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple prediction attacks, as it affects the overall security posture of Firefox installations. Attackers who can successfully guess the seed value can potentially reconstruct the entire random sequence, which could be exploited in various attack scenarios including session hijacking, cryptographic key prediction, and other security mechanisms that rely on unpredictable random values. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core JavaScript engine level, affecting all applications and websites that utilize JavaScript within the affected Firefox versions.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a weakness in the entropy sources used for cryptographic operations, aligning with CWE-330 use of insufficiently random values. The issue demonstrates poor random number generation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in NIST SP 800-90 and other cryptographic standards. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of Firefox, as the vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to compromise security-sensitive applications. The remediation involves proper random number generation initialization that does not rely on predictable pointer values, ensuring that cryptographic operations maintain their intended security properties.
This vulnerability is categorized under the broader category of weak random number generation, which falls within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1083 for system information discovery and T1583 for acquisition of resources. The attack surface is particularly wide since JavaScript execution contexts are common in web applications, making this vulnerability exploitable across numerous legitimate use cases. The security community should consider this as a critical issue requiring immediate attention, especially in environments where Firefox is used for security-sensitive operations. The remediation process involves not just patching the specific function but also reviewing other random number generation mechanisms within the browser to ensure similar weaknesses do not exist in other components.