CVE-2012-1967 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 13.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, Thunderbird 5.0 through 13.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, and SeaMonkey before 2.11 do not properly implement the JavaScript sandbox utility, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with improper privileges via a javascript: URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1967 represents a critical sandbox escape flaw in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird products that affects versions ranging from Firefox 4.x through 13.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, Thunderbird 5.0 through 13.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, and SeaMonkey before 2.11. This security issue stems from improper implementation of the JavaScript sandbox utility, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to isolate potentially malicious code execution from the browser's core functionality. The flaw specifically enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with elevated privileges that should normally be restricted by the sandbox protection model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of javascript: URLs, which are designed to execute JavaScript code directly within the browser context. When a malicious attacker crafts a specially crafted javascript: URL, the flawed sandbox implementation fails to properly enforce privilege boundaries, allowing the malicious code to bypass the intended security restrictions. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all browser security models. The vulnerability operates at the core of the browser's security architecture, specifically targeting the JavaScript engine's sandboxing mechanisms that are supposed to prevent code running in untrusted contexts from accessing privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges that typically should be restricted to the browser's own trusted components. This means that an attacker could potentially access sensitive user data, modify browser behavior, install malware, or perform other malicious activities that would normally be prevented by the sandbox protection. The vulnerability affects not just Firefox but also Thunderbird and SeaMonkey, indicating a widespread impact across the Mozilla ecosystem. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors, as it essentially provides a backdoor into the browser's security model.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic sandbox escape scenario that has been documented in various security literature as one of the most dangerous types of browser vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection, specifically targeting the browser's sandboxing capabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of affected versions, deployment of web application firewalls, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious javascript: URL patterns. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as disabling javascript in untrusted contexts, implementing strict content security policies, and regular security audits of browser configurations should be considered as part of a comprehensive defense strategy. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with relying on browser sandboxing as the sole security mechanism, particularly when such mechanisms can be bypassed through carefully crafted attack vectors.