CVE-2011-3001 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 6, Thunderbird before 7.0, and SeaMonkey before 2.4 do not prevent manual add-on installation in response to the holding of the Enter key, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted web site that triggers an unspecified internal error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3001 represents a significant security flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions 4.x through 6, Thunderbird versions prior to 7.0, and SeaMonkey versions before 2.4. This issue stems from an improper handling of user input during the add-on installation process, specifically when the Enter key is held down during manual installation attempts. The flaw creates a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended access controls that should normally prevent unauthorized add-on installations. The vulnerability is classified as a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that successful exploitation requires user interaction with a malicious website, but once triggered, it can lead to unauthorized modifications of the affected applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition or improper input validation within the add-on installation framework of these Mozilla applications. When users attempt to install add-ons manually through web interfaces, the applications should enforce strict validation of installation requests and prevent automatic execution of installation commands. However, the flaw allows attackers to craft specific web pages that can trigger an internal error condition, which then enables unauthorized installation of malicious add-ons. This behavior violates the fundamental security principle of least privilege and can be categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate the installation flow through keyboard input manipulation, bypassing the normal security checks that would typically validate the authenticity and safety of add-on sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3001 is substantial, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through malicious add-on installation. Attackers can install backdoors, keyloggers, or other malicious software that operates with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can remain active even after the initial attack, as add-ons continue to run in the background. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1103, which covers process injection and manipulation of application execution flows. The security implications extend beyond simple malware installation to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent access points within the victim's environment. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla applications increases its attack surface and potential impact across different user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3001 primarily focus on immediate application updates and user education. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Mozilla applications to their latest secure versions, which include patches addressing the improper input handling and access control violations. System administrators should implement strict policies regarding add-on installation, including disabling automatic installation and requiring explicit user confirmation for all add-on operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust access control mechanisms in web-based installation processes. Additional security measures include implementing web content filtering to block known malicious sites, monitoring for unusual add-on installation patterns, and maintaining updated security baselines. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized add-ons have been installed. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the potential risks associated with legacy applications that may contain unpatched security flaws.