CVE-2014-1502 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) WebGL.compressedTexImage2D and (2) WebGL.compressedTexSubImage2D functions in Mozilla Firefox before 28.0 and SeaMonkey before 2.25 allow remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and render content in a different domain via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1502 represents a critical security flaw in the WebGL implementation of Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox 28.0 and SeaMonkey 2.25, where the WebGL.compressedTexImage2D and WebGL.compressedTexSubImage2D functions fail to properly enforce security boundaries. The flaw enables remote attackers to circumvent the fundamental Same Origin Policy that protects web applications from cross-domain data access, creating a significant vector for unauthorized content rendering across different domains. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the WebGL texture handling functions, which should have prevented cross-origin data manipulation but instead allowed malicious actors to exploit these pathways.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of compressed texture data within WebGL contexts. When these specific functions process compressed image data, they fail to validate whether the source domain has appropriate permissions to provide such content. This allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that can access and render compressed texture data from different origins without proper authorization. The flaw operates at the graphics processing level where WebGL interfaces with the browser's security model, creating a bypass mechanism that should not exist within the established security architecture. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control, specifically related to insufficient access control mechanisms in graphics APIs and WebGL implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables sophisticated cross-origin attacks that can compromise user privacy and application security. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access and render content from different domains, potentially exposing sensitive information or creating misleading content that appears to originate from trusted sources. The ability to bypass Same Origin Policy in WebGL contexts represents a severe degradation of browser security, as WebGL is designed to provide high-performance graphics capabilities while maintaining strict security boundaries. This vulnerability undermines the browser's ability to protect users from malicious actors who might attempt to harvest data or manipulate graphics rendering across domain boundaries. The attack surface includes scenarios where users might unknowingly visit compromised websites that exploit this vulnerability to access resources they should not be able to reach.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1502 require immediate patching of affected browser versions to ensure proper enforcement of Same Origin Policy within WebGL implementations. Organizations should prioritize updating Firefox to version 28.0 or later and SeaMonkey to version 2.25 or later, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls and browser security policies that restrict WebGL functionality in environments where such risks are heightened. The fix addresses the core issue by strengthening validation checks within the WebGL texture handling functions, ensuring that compressed texture data can only be accessed from authorized origins. Security monitoring should include detection of potential exploitation attempts through unusual WebGL API usage patterns, and regular security assessments should verify that browser updates have been properly deployed across all affected systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security implementations and the potential consequences of inadequate validation in graphics processing APIs.