CVE-2012-3991 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 16.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, Thunderbird before 16.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.13 do not properly restrict JSAPI access to the GetProperty function, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3991 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla's browser ecosystem that affected multiple products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey across several versions. This issue stems from improper restrictions within the JavaScript API access controls, specifically concerning the GetProperty function implementation. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent the fundamental Same Origin Policy that serves as a cornerstone of web security by enabling unauthorized cross-origin data access. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to Firefox 16.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, Thunderbird 16.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, and SeaMonkey 2.13, indicating a widespread impact across Mozilla's product portfolio.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284, which deals with improper access control mechanisms, specifically focusing on inadequate restrictions in JavaScript API functions. The flaw manifests when the GetProperty function in the JSAPI does not properly validate or restrict access to properties across different origins, allowing malicious web pages to access objects and data that should be restricted due to cross-origin security boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation and information disclosure through API misuse. The attack vector involves crafting malicious websites that exploit the JavaScript engine's insufficient access controls to bypass security boundaries that normally prevent one origin from accessing resources belonging to another origin.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data theft, session hijacking, and cross-site scripting attacks. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can access sensitive data from different origins, potentially including user credentials, personal information, or corporate data that should be protected by the same-origin policy. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability might enable additional attack vectors or could be leveraged in combination with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack scenarios. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products indicates that it was a fundamental flaw in the JavaScript engine implementation rather than a product-specific issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3991 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of the affected software products. Users and organizations should immediately update to Firefox 16.0, Thunderbird 16.0, or their respective ESR versions that contain the necessary security patches. The patch addresses the core issue by implementing proper access restrictions on the JSAPI GetProperty function, ensuring that cross-origin access is properly validated and controlled. Additional mitigations include implementing proper web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of web applications that might be vulnerable to such attacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing browser security controls and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential risks associated with outdated software in enterprise environments.