CVE-2010-3400 in SeaMonkey
Summary
by MITRE
The js_InitRandom function in the JavaScript implementation in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.10 and 3.6.x before 3.6.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.5, uses the current time 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-2008-5913.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3400 represents a significant weakness in the cryptographic randomness implementation within Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This flaw specifically affects the js_InitRandom function which is responsible for initializing the random number generator used by JavaScript implementations within these web browsers. The vulnerability stems from the use of current system time as the sole seed value for the random number generator, creating predictable entropy that undermines the security of cryptographic operations relying on this randomness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the JavaScript engine's random number generation mechanism being seeded with timestamp values that are easily predictable by attackers. Since the seed value is derived from the system clock, an attacker who can observe or estimate the time when a random number was generated can attempt brute-force attacks to reconstruct the seed value. This predictable seeding mechanism violates fundamental cryptographic principles that require truly random and unpredictable seed values to maintain security guarantees. The vulnerability affects specific versions of Firefox including 3.5.x before 3.5.10 and 3.6.x before 3.6.4, as well as SeaMonkey before 2.0.5, indicating a widespread issue across multiple browser versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple prediction attacks, as it compromises the security of cryptographic operations that depend on random number generation. Applications and websites that rely on JavaScript-based random number generation for security purposes such as session token generation, cryptographic key creation, or other security-sensitive operations become vulnerable to attacks. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to predict and potentially manipulate security tokens, session identifiers, or other randomized values that should remain unpredictable. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web browser environments where users interact with untrusted content.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper entropy sources for random number generation, ensuring that seed values are derived from multiple unpredictable sources rather than relying solely on system time. The fix implemented by Mozilla in subsequent versions involved strengthening the random number generator initialization process to incorporate additional entropy sources beyond just the current timestamp. Organizations should prioritize updating affected browser versions to patched releases and consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which describes insufficient entropy in random number generators, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information that can be used to compromise security. The remediation process requires not just patching the specific function but also ensuring that all cryptographic operations within the browser maintain proper entropy levels to prevent similar weaknesses from reoccurring.