CVE-2012-0474 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the docshell implementation in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, Thunderbird 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to short-circuited page loads, aka "Universal XSS (UXSS)."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-0474 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the docshell implementation of several Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This Universal XSS vulnerability specifically affects versions ranging from Firefox 4.x through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, Thunderbird 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.9. The flaw stems from improper handling of short-circuited page loads within the browser's document shell architecture, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the affected applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the docshell component which manages the loading and display of web content. When page loads are short-circuited due to various internal browser mechanisms, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate input data that flows through these pathways. This creates a condition where attacker-controlled content can bypass normal security checks and be executed as part of legitimate browser operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a fundamental level of the browser's document handling system rather than through typical web page execution contexts.
The operational impact of this Universal XSS vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content in the victim's browser session. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and the execution of malicious actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability's "universal" nature means it affects multiple Mozilla products simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across different application contexts. Attackers can leverage this flaw to compromise user sessions, inject malicious content into web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised webpage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest available releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies ensuring all users have the latest security patches installed. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, as it enables attackers to create malicious web content that can be delivered through phishing campaigns. Security teams should also consider implementing strict content security policies and monitoring for suspicious script execution patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization at all levels of browser architecture. The flaw highlights how low-level system components can create widespread security implications when they fail to properly handle edge cases in their processing logic. The security community's response to such vulnerabilities underscores the necessity of maintaining robust security practices throughout software development lifecycles, particularly in core components that handle user-facing content.