CVE-2013-1710 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The crypto.generateCRMFRequest function in Mozilla Firefox before 23.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.8, Thunderbird before 17.0.8, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code or conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via vectors related to Certificate Request Message Format (CRMF) request generation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1710 represents a critical security flaw in the cryptographic request handling mechanisms of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This issue specifically affects the crypto.generateCRMFRequest function which is responsible for generating Certificate Request Message Format requests. The flaw exists in versions prior to Firefox 23.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.8, Thunderbird before 17.0.8, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.20, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the CRMF request generation process, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that would execute within the context of the user's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied data during CRMF request generation, which falls under CWE-79 - Cross-Site Scripting. When the crypto.generateCRMFRequest function processes certificate requests, it fails to properly escape or validate input parameters that could contain malicious script code. This occurs because the function does not adequately sanitize the data passed to it, particularly when dealing with certificate subject names, email addresses, or other fields that might contain user-controllable input. Attackers can craft specially formatted CRMF requests that, when processed by the vulnerable function, result in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser environment. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the cryptographic request generation level, meaning that even legitimate certificate requests could be manipulated to contain malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple XSS attacks, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated social engineering and credential theft operations. When exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with the privileges of the user's browser session, potentially leading to complete browser compromise. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, capture keystrokes, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the user without their knowledge. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple Mozilla products including browsers and email clients, increasing the potential attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007, this vulnerability enables command and scripting interpreter execution, while T1566 covers the initial access vectors through malicious email attachments or web content. The impact is exacerbated by the fact that these applications are commonly used for sensitive operations such as secure communications and online banking.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1710 require immediate patching of all affected software versions to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize updating Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey installations to versions 23.0 or later, with Firefox ESR 17.0.8 and later for extended support releases. Security administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to detect and block malicious CRMF requests. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted email attachments or visiting suspicious websites that might trigger the vulnerability. The implementation of CSP (Content Security Policy) headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that cryptographic functions properly validate and sanitize all input data, and that proper input encoding is implemented to prevent injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive monitoring for potential exploitation attempts.