CVE-2012-0446 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 9.0, Thunderbird 5.0 through 9.0, and SeaMonkey before 2.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) web page or (2) Firefox extension, related to improper enforcement of XPConnect security restrictions for frame scripts that call untrusted objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-0446 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox versions 4.0 through 9.0, Thunderbird versions 5.0 through 9.0, and SeaMonkey versions prior to 2.7. This vulnerability stems from improper enforcement of XPConnect security restrictions within frame scripts that interact with untrusted objects, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code. The flaw specifically targets the security mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized access between different security contexts within the browser environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the XPConnect component, which serves as a bridge between JavaScript and native C++ code in Mozilla applications. When frame scripts attempt to call untrusted objects, the security restrictions meant to isolate these operations are inadequately enforced, allowing malicious code to bypass normal security boundaries. This occurs during the processing of web pages or Firefox extensions where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize input from potentially malicious sources. The vulnerability manifests when the browser's security model permits unauthorized access to privileged operations through frame script contexts that should be isolated from untrusted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and arbitrary code execution within the victim's browser context. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or develop malicious Firefox extensions that exploit this flaw to inject persistent scripts that can monitor user activity, capture keystrokes, steal cookies, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core browser security architecture, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain access to sensitive user data across multiple applications within the Mozilla ecosystem.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to the latest versions of affected Mozilla products. The fix implemented in subsequent releases addresses the XPConnect security restriction enforcement by strengthening the isolation mechanisms between frame scripts and untrusted objects. Security teams should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious web traffic and user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting web-based attack vectors that leverage browser security weaknesses. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure no regression in functionality while maintaining the security enhancements that address the core XPConnect enforcement issues.