CVE-2013-0757 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Chrome Object Wrapper (COW) implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 18.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, Thunderbird before 17.0.2, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 2.15 does not prevent modifications to the prototype of an object, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with chrome privileges by referencing Object.prototype.__proto__ in a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0757 represents a critical security flaw in the Chrome Object Wrapper implementation within Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This issue affects multiple browser versions including Firefox 18.0 and earlier, Firefox ESR 17.x versions prior to 17.0.2, Thunderbird versions before 17.0.2, Thunderbird ESR 17.x versions before 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey versions before 2.15. The flaw stems from insufficient protection mechanisms that govern object prototype modifications within the browser's JavaScript engine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the Object.prototype._proto_ property, which serves as a critical access point for modifying object prototypes in JavaScript environments. Attackers can craft malicious HTML documents that leverage this weakness to bypass normal security restrictions and execute arbitrary JavaScript code with elevated chrome privileges. The chrome privileges granted through this exploitation provide access to sensitive browser functionalities and system resources that are typically restricted to legitimate browser operations.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-119 weakness category, which encompasses issues related to memory safety and improper handling of object references in programming environments. The flaw specifically manifests as a failure in privilege separation mechanisms that should prevent untrusted web content from accessing or modifying privileged object properties. The exploitation technique aligns with ATT&CK tactic T1059, which covers execution through scripting languages, and T1068, which involves privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web-based attacks, as it allows remote code execution with elevated privileges that can compromise the entire browser sandbox environment. Successful exploitation enables attackers to bypass security boundaries that normally protect against malicious code injection, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all affected browsers regardless of the operating system platform, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple browser versions may be in use.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of security patches and updates to affected browser versions. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Firefox 18.0, Thunderbird 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey 2.15 releases that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, implementing content security policies and restricting access to potentially dangerous JavaScript properties can provide additional protective layers. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious HTML content targeting this specific vulnerability. The fix addresses the core issue by strengthening the prototype modification protection mechanisms within the browser's JavaScript engine to prevent unauthorized access to chrome-level objects through the _proto_ property manipulation.