CVE-2012-3992 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 manage history data, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks or obtain sensitive POST content via vectors involving a location.hash write operation and history navigation that triggers the loading of a URL into the history object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
This vulnerability exists in multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey versions prior to their respective secure releases. The core issue stems from improper handling of history data within the browser's navigation system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through carefully crafted attacks. The flaw specifically involves how the browser manages location.hash write operations combined with history navigation mechanisms that load URLs into the history object. This creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the browser's history stack to inject malicious content or extract sensitive information from POST requests that would normally be protected.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker constructs a malicious web page that leverages the interaction between window.location.hash manipulation and history navigation functions. When a user visits such a page, the browser's history management system processes the hash write operation and subsequent navigation, potentially loading malicious content or exposing sensitive POST data that was previously submitted to the target application. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the improper handling of input data within the browser's history management system. The attack vector requires user interaction with a malicious webpage and can result in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browsing session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks, as it can potentially allow attackers to access sensitive POST content that was submitted to web applications. This could include login credentials, personal information, or other confidential data that was transmitted via POST requests. The vulnerability affects not only regular Firefox users but also those using the Extended Support Release versions of these applications, creating a wide attack surface across different user bases. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the browser core level, potentially bypassing many traditional security measures that protect against XSS attacks. Security researchers have classified this as a medium to high severity vulnerability due to its potential for data exfiltration and session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to the patched versions of the affected software products, which properly handle history data management and prevent the exploitation of the hash navigation mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all users have the latest security patches installed. Additionally, web developers should employ proper input validation and output encoding techniques to minimize the impact of potential XSS attacks, even when browser-level protections are compromised. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include content security policies, secure coding practices, and regular security assessments. Users should also be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browser software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.