CVE-2014-1552 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 31.0 and Thunderbird before 31.0 do not properly implement the sandbox attribute of the IFRAME element, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended restrictions on same-origin content via a crafted web site in conjunction with a redirect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1552 represents a critical sandbox implementation flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 31.0 and Thunderbird versions prior to 31.0. This security weakness specifically targets the improper handling of the iframe sandbox attribute, which serves as a fundamental security mechanism designed to isolate potentially malicious content from the main browsing context. The sandbox attribute is intended to provide a controlled environment where embedded content cannot access the parent document's resources or execute privileged operations, thereby creating a protective barrier against cross-site scripting attacks and other malicious activities.
The technical flaw manifests when attackers craft malicious websites that exploit the incomplete sandbox implementation in these older browser versions. Through careful manipulation of iframe elements and strategic use of redirects, threat actors can circumvent the sandbox restrictions that should normally prevent same-origin content from accessing restricted resources. This vulnerability operates at the core of browser security architecture where the sandbox mechanism fails to properly enforce access controls, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized operations that would typically be blocked. The flaw essentially creates a bypass mechanism that undermines the fundamental security model designed to protect users from malicious embedded content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive user data, execute arbitrary code within the browser context, and perform actions that should be restricted by the sandbox protection model. Users browsing compromised websites could have their sessions hijacked, personal information accessed, or malware installed without their knowledge. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on iframe sandboxing for security, as attackers can leverage this weakness to break out of the isolated environment and gain access to the underlying system resources. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and system integrity, especially in environments where users browse untrusted content.
Security professionals should immediately update to Firefox 31.0 and Thunderbird 31.0 or later versions to remediate this vulnerability, as these releases contain proper implementations of the iframe sandbox attribute. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies and regular browser updates as part of their security protocols. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code through web browsers. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious iframe usage patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.