CVE-2011-0076 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Embedding Plugin (JEP) in Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.19 and 3.6.x before 3.6.17, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.14, on Mac OS X allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unknown vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0076 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Embedding Plugin component of Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers running on Mac OS X systems. This unspecified weakness existed in versions prior to Firefox 3.5.19 and 3.6.x releases, as well as SeaMonkey versions before 2.0.14, creating a window of exposure for users who had not yet applied the necessary security patches. The vulnerability specifically targeted the browser's handling of Java applets and embedded content, which are commonly used to execute rich internet applications and interactive content within web pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Java Embedding Plugin implementation. Attackers could exploit this weakness to circumvent intended security boundaries that normally restrict what Java applets can access or execute on the user's system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could potentially be exploited through various attack scenarios including malicious web pages, compromised websites, or crafted Java applets designed to bypass the browser's security sandbox. This represents a classic privilege escalation or access restriction bypass vulnerability that could allow unauthorized code execution or data access.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0076 is significant for users of affected browser versions, particularly those running Mac OS X systems where the vulnerability was specifically noted to exist. The ability to bypass access restrictions means that malicious actors could potentially gain access to sensitive system resources, execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, or access restricted data that should normally be protected by the browser's security model. This vulnerability particularly affected users who regularly interacted with web content that required Java applets, making it a substantial risk for both individual users and enterprise environments where such applications were commonly used.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to the patched versions of Firefox and SeaMonkey as specified in the security advisories. The mitigation strategy involves not only updating the browser software but also implementing additional security measures such as disabling Java applets in the browser when not required, using security software to monitor for suspicious activity, and ensuring that all system components are kept up to date with the latest security patches. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through web-based attack vectors. The flaw demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security configurations and the risks associated with outdated software components in web browsers.