CVE-2010-3774 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The NS_SecurityCompareURIs function in netwerk/base/public/nsNetUtil.h in Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.16 and 3.6.x before 3.6.13, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.11, does not properly handle (1) about:neterror and (2) about:certerror pages, which allows remote attackers to spoof the location bar via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3774 resides within the NS_SecurityCompareURIs function in Mozilla Firefox's networking component, specifically in the netwerk/base/public/nsNetUtil.h file. This flaw affects Firefox versions prior to 3.5.16 and 3.6.x prior to 3.6.13, as well as SeaMonkey versions before 2.0.11, representing a significant security gap in web browser implementation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of specific about: scheme URLs, namely about:neterror and about:certerror pages, which are internal browser pages used to display network and certificate errors respectively.
The technical flaw manifests in the security comparison function's inability to properly validate URI schemes when comparing locations during web navigation. When a malicious website attempts to exploit this vulnerability, it can manipulate the browser's location bar display by leveraging the improper handling of these about: scheme pages. The function fails to correctly distinguish between legitimate about:neterror and about:certerror pages and crafted malicious content, allowing attackers to present misleading location bar information that appears to originate from trusted sources. This creates a spoofing condition where users cannot reliably verify the authenticity of the web page they believe they are visiting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it undermines the fundamental security model that users rely upon when browsing the web. Users may be misled into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when they are actually interacting with a malicious page, potentially leading to credential theft, data exfiltration, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's user interface security indicators, making it particularly dangerous because it exploits the trust users place in visual security cues. This issue represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and user trust in web browser security mechanisms.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information, and relates to the broader category of user interface security flaws in web browsers. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol manipulation. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected browser versions, implementation of additional security headers, and user education regarding the importance of verifying URLs even when location bar indicators appear trustworthy. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections and monitoring for suspicious URI patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on about: scheme usage in conjunction with other malicious web content.