CVE-2014-1510 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Web IDL implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 28.0, Firefox ESR 24.x before 24.4, Thunderbird before 24.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.25 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code with chrome privileges by using an IDL fragment to trigger a window.open call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-1510 represents a critical security flaw within the Web IDL implementation of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox 28.0, Firefox ESR 24.x before 24.4, Thunderbird before 24.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.25, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The flaw specifically resides in how the browser handles Web IDL fragments and their interaction with window.open calls, which are fundamental components of web browser functionality. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which deals with Improper Control of Generation of Code, highlighting the dangerous nature of code execution that occurs through seemingly benign web interface elements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of IDL fragments within the browser's web interface definition language processing. When a malicious Web IDL fragment is processed, it can trigger a window.open call that operates with chrome privileges rather than standard user privileges. This privilege escalation occurs because the IDL processing mechanism fails to properly restrict the execution context of the triggered window.open operation. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal security boundaries that typically separate user-level JavaScript execution from privileged chrome code, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform actions that would normally be restricted to browser internals and system-level operations. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute JavaScript code with chrome privileges, which grants access to sensitive browser functions and potentially system resources. This could enable attackers to perform actions such as accessing local files, modifying browser settings, intercepting user data, or even executing malicious code that could compromise the entire user system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web content without requiring user interaction, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by attacks that can compromise systems simply through normal web browsing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1510 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of affected software. Organizations should prioritize updating Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey to versions that contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary browser features and restricting access to potentially dangerous APIs. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution, specifically targeting the browser's sandboxing mechanisms and exploiting weaknesses in web interface implementation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and privilege management in browser security architectures, particularly when dealing with interface definition languages that can influence execution contexts and security boundaries.