CVE-2010-3775 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.16 and 3.6.x before 3.6.13, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.11, does not properly handle certain redirections involving data: URLs and Java LiveConnect scripts, which allows remote attackers to start processes, read arbitrary local files, and establish network connections via vectors involving a refresh value in the http-equiv attribute of a META element, which causes the wrong security principal to be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
This vulnerability resides in the browser security model of mozilla firefox and seamonkey applications where improper handling of redirections involving data urls and java liveconnect scripts creates a critical security flaw. The issue specifically affects versions prior to firefox 3.5.16 and 3.6.x before 3.6.13, as well as seamonkey before 2.0.11, representing a widespread exposure across multiple browser versions. The technical flaw manifests when a refresh value in the http-equiv attribute of a meta element triggers incorrect security principal usage, allowing malicious actors to exploit this misconfiguration.
The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the interaction between data urls and java liveconnect functionality within the browser's security architecture. When a malicious web page attempts to redirect using a meta refresh element with a data url containing javascript code, the browser fails to properly validate the security context. This misbehavior stems from the browser's inability to correctly establish the security principal during the redirection process, effectively bypassing the expected security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to local resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, enabling attackers to perform several dangerous operations including starting arbitrary processes on the victim's system, reading arbitrary local files, and establishing network connections. These capabilities represent a complete breakdown of the browser's security model, allowing for potential privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks. The ability to read local files creates opportunities for sensitive data theft, while process execution capabilities can lead to full system compromise. Network connection establishment enables attackers to communicate with external servers, potentially creating command and control channels.
This vulnerability maps directly to cwe-15 and cwe-20 issues within the common weakness enumeration classification, representing weaknesses in external control of system or resource. The attack pattern aligns with the attack technique described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and privilege escalation domains. Specifically, this vulnerability falls under the category of web application attacks that exploit browser security flaws to gain unauthorized system access. The attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed automatically without explicit user consent or awareness.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to patched versions of firefox and seamonkey browsers, which contain the necessary security fixes to properly handle redirections and maintain correct security principal usage. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious meta refresh elements containing data urls. Browser security policies should be reviewed and hardened to restrict java liveconnect functionality where possible, and users should be educated about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual network connections or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security principal management in browser environments and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web application components that interact with system resources.