CVE-2014-1527 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 29.0 on Android allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via crafted JavaScript code that uses DOM events to prevent the reemergence of the actual address bar after scrolling has taken it off of the screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
This vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 29.0 on Android platforms represents a sophisticated user interface spoofing attack that exploits the browser's handling of DOM events during scrolling operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the address bar display behavior through carefully crafted JavaScript code, creating a deceptive user experience that can facilitate phishing attacks and other malicious activities. The vulnerability specifically targets the visual elements of the browser interface rather than core security mechanisms, making it particularly insidious as users may not immediately recognize the spoofing attempt.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the browser's event handling system and its interaction with the Android platform's scroll behavior. When users scroll the page, the address bar on Android Firefox typically disappears to maximize screen real estate, but the browser should automatically reappear when scrolling back to the top or when the user interacts with the interface. However, malicious JavaScript code can intercept and manipulate DOM events to prevent this automatic reemergence of the address bar, effectively hiding the true URL location from users. This behavior violates the fundamental security principle of transparency in user interface elements, as users cannot verify the actual destination of their navigation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception to create significant security risks for Android users. Attackers can exploit this flaw to create convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate to users who might not notice the address bar manipulation. The vulnerability specifically affects mobile users who rely on the address bar to verify website authenticity, as the spoofed interface can mask malicious URLs and trick users into entering sensitive information. This type of attack aligns with the tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy under attack technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1566 for Phishing, as it leverages the user interface to deceive victims into believing they are interacting with legitimate websites.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, although more specifically it relates to CWE-200 Information Exposure and CWE-116 Improper Encoding or Escaping, as it involves the improper handling of user interface elements that should remain accessible to users. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1557 for Adversary-in-the-Middle, as it creates a deceptive environment where attackers can manipulate user perception without direct network interception. The vulnerability's impact on user trust and the browser's security model makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may be less vigilant about security verification.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Firefox version 29.0 or later, which implements proper event handling to prevent the address bar from being permanently hidden during scrolling operations. Additionally, users should maintain awareness of browser interface behavior and verify URL authenticity through multiple means, including checking for secure connection indicators and being cautious of unexpected interface changes. Security administrators should ensure that mobile browser deployments include regular updates and monitoring for similar interface manipulation vulnerabilities. The fix implemented by Mozilla addresses the core issue by modifying the DOM event handling to ensure that the address bar reappears appropriately after scrolling operations, restoring the expected user interface behavior and maintaining the security model that users rely upon for web navigation verification.