CVE-2012-0460 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 10.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.3, Thunderbird 5.0 through 10.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.8 do not properly restrict write access to the window.fullScreen object, which allows remote attackers to spoof the user interface via a crafted web page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
This vulnerability resides in the browser security model of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird applications, specifically affecting versions ranging from Firefox 4.x through 10.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.3, Thunderbird 5.0 through 10.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.8. The core issue involves improper access control mechanisms surrounding the window.fullScreen object, which creates a critical security boundary violation that undermines user trust and system integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of write operations to the fullScreen property, allowing malicious web pages to manipulate this object in ways that should be restricted to legitimate browser functionality.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper input validation and access control enforcement when handling the window.fullScreen object properties. This object typically controls whether a browser window is displayed in full-screen mode, which is a privileged operation that should be restricted to user-initiated actions or trusted browser components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that programmatically set the fullScreen property to manipulate the browser interface, potentially creating deceptive user experiences that bypass normal security prompts and warnings. The vulnerability specifically affects the write access controls rather than read operations, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for active interface manipulation rather than passive information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user interface spoofing to encompass broader security implications that could enable more sophisticated attacks. When attackers can manipulate the fullScreen object, they gain the ability to create convincing phishing interfaces that appear to be legitimate browser windows, potentially deceiving users into entering sensitive information or performing actions they would not normally undertake. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged to create convincing social engineering attacks that exploit user trust in browser security warnings. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products simultaneously, indicating a fundamental flaw in the browser engine's security architecture that requires comprehensive patching across the affected software ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of all affected versions to ensure proper access controls are enforced on the window.fullScreen object. System administrators should prioritize updating to the patched versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey, particularly focusing on the specific version ranges mentioned in the CVE description. The fix typically involves implementing stricter validation of write operations to the fullScreen property, ensuring that only legitimate browser components or user-initiated actions can modify this privileged interface element. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as browser hardening configurations that restrict access to potentially dangerous JavaScript APIs, and monitoring for suspicious web page behavior that attempts to manipulate browser interface elements. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through scripting, and T1566 for social engineering via phishing attacks.