CVE-2013-1711 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The XrayWrapper implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 23.0 and SeaMonkey before 2.20 does not properly address the possibility of an XBL scope bypass resulting from non-native arguments in XBL function calls, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by leveraging access to an unprivileged object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1711 represents a critical security flaw in the XrayWrapper implementation within Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 23.0 and SeaMonkey versions prior to 2.20. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle XBL scope bypass scenarios when non-native arguments are present in XBL function calls. The flaw exists at the intersection of Firefox's security model and its implementation of cross-origin object access controls, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended security boundaries.
The technical implementation of XrayWrapper in Firefox serves as a security layer that mediates access between privileged and unprivileged code contexts, particularly when dealing with cross-origin objects. However, the vulnerability arises when XBL (XML Binding Language) function calls receive arguments that are not native JavaScript objects, allowing attackers to exploit the gap in the scope validation process. This bypass mechanism enables attackers to gain access to privileged objects that should remain restricted to authorized contexts, effectively undermining the security model that protects against unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for remote code execution and cross-site scripting attacks. The flaw allows attackers to leverage access to unprivileged objects to execute malicious code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or complete browser compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as it can be triggered through crafted web content that initiates XBL function calls with malicious arguments, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios.
The impact of CVE-2013-1711 aligns with CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, specifically addressing the failure to properly validate or sanitize input parameters in security-sensitive contexts. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code through the XSS vector. Additionally, it relates to T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, since attackers can deliver malicious content through phishing emails that trigger this vulnerability when opened in affected browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected browser versions to the latest stable releases that contain the corrected XrayWrapper implementation. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and implementing strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual XBL function calls and attempts to access privileged objects from untrusted contexts, while user education regarding phishing awareness remains crucial for preventing initial compromise through malicious web content delivery.