CVE-2014-1489 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 27.0 does not properly restrict access to about:home buttons by script on other pages, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (session restore) via a crafted web site.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1489 affects Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 27.0 and represents a significant security flaw in the browser's handling of privileged content access. This issue stems from insufficient restrictions on script access to about:home buttons, which are part of Firefox's internal browser interface designed to provide quick access to frequently visited websites and bookmarks. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted websites that can manipulate the browser's session restore functionality, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt user browsing sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in Firefox's improper implementation of access controls for privileged user interface elements. The about:home protocol is intended to provide a secure interface for browser navigation and session management, but the vulnerability allows scripts from untrusted websites to interact with these elements in unintended ways. This cross-origin scripting access violation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the browser's internal state, specifically targeting the session restore mechanisms that save and restore user browsing sessions across browser restarts. The flaw operates at the interface level where privileged content should be isolated from regular web page scripts, creating a dangerous accessibility gap that undermines the browser's security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1489 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks targeting user sessions and browser stability. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause Firefox to crash or become unresponsive during session restore operations, effectively disrupting user productivity and browser functionality. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must navigate to a malicious website, but once triggered, the impact can be significant for users who rely on Firefox's session management features. This vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently use session restore functionality, as the attack can occur without their explicit knowledge and can potentially be automated to target multiple users simultaneously.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control in privileged interfaces. The flaw demonstrates how browser security models can be compromised when internal user interface elements are not properly isolated from external scripts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to techniques involving privilege escalation and session management manipulation, as attackers can leverage it to disrupt normal browser operations and potentially gain further access to user data. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining strict security boundaries between browser internals and web content, as outlined in security standards that emphasize the need for proper isolation mechanisms to prevent cross-site scripting attacks from compromising browser functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1489 require immediate browser updates to version 27.0 or later, where Mozilla addressed the access control issues by properly restricting script access to about:home buttons and other privileged interface elements. Users should also implement additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary browser extensions that might interact with privileged content, regularly updating their browsers to ensure they have the latest security patches, and employing security tools that can detect and block malicious websites. Organizations should consider implementing network-level protections and browser hardening procedures that restrict access to potentially harmful websites while maintaining normal browsing functionality. The fix implemented by Mozilla involved strengthening the security boundaries around privileged content and ensuring that scripts from untrusted domains cannot manipulate internal browser interfaces, which aligns with industry best practices for maintaining secure browser architectures.