CVE-2013-0773 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Chrome Object Wrapper (COW) and System Only Wrapper (SOW) implementations in Mozilla Firefox before 19.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, Thunderbird before 17.0.3, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.16 do not prevent modifications to a prototype, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from chrome objects or possibly execute arbitrary JavaScript code with chrome privileges via a crafted web site.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0773 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla Firefox and related applications that stems from improper handling of object wrappers within the browser's security model. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox 19.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, Thunderbird before 17.0.3, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.16. The core problem lies in the Chrome Object Wrapper (COW) and System Only Wrapper (SOW) implementations which are designed to provide security boundaries between privileged chrome code and untrusted web content. These wrappers are essential components that prevent web pages from directly accessing or modifying internal browser objects that could compromise system security.
The technical flaw manifests when the COW and SOW mechanisms fail to properly prevent modifications to object prototypes, creating a pathway for malicious web content to manipulate the prototype chain of chrome objects. This vulnerability operates under the CWE-264 category of "Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privilege escalation opportunities. When attackers can modify prototypes, they can effectively bypass security boundaries that should prevent web content from accessing or manipulating privileged browser objects. The exploitation occurs through carefully crafted web pages that attempt to modify the prototype properties of chrome objects, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive information stored in these privileged contexts or execute arbitrary JavaScript code with elevated chrome privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform information disclosure and code execution attacks that could compromise the entire browser environment. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive data from chrome objects, which might include user credentials, browsing history, or other confidential information stored within the browser's privileged memory space. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with chrome privileges represents a significant escalation of capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions such as modifying browser settings, intercepting user input, or even accessing other applications running on the same system. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model that separates trusted browser components from untrusted web content, creating a potential attack vector that could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0773 primarily focus on immediate version updates and patch deployment across all affected applications. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Firefox 19.0 or later, Firefox ESR 17.0.3 or later, Thunderbird 17.0.3 or later, Thunderbird ESR 17.0.3 or later, and SeaMonkey 2.16 or later to address this vulnerability. Security administrators should also implement network-based controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls to prevent access to known malicious sites that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the need for robust security architectures that prevent prototype pollution attacks, which are increasingly common in modern web exploitation techniques. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other browser components or security boundaries within the organization's technology stack.