CVE-2014-8631 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Chrome Object Wrapper (COW) implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 34.0 and SeaMonkey before 2.31 supports native-interface passing, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended DOM object restrictions via a call to an unspecified method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8631 represents a critical security flaw in the Chrome Object Wrapper implementation within Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 34.0 and SeaMonkey versions prior to 2.31. This issue stems from the improper handling of native-interface passing mechanisms within the browser's object model, creating a significant bypass opportunity for remote attackers seeking to circumvent intended security restrictions. The flaw exists in the way these browsers manage object wrappers and their interactions with native interfaces, particularly affecting the Document Object Model's security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Chrome Object Wrapper mechanism, which serves as an intermediary layer between JavaScript and native browser components. When native-interface passing is supported, the system allows objects to directly access underlying native methods and properties that should normally be restricted to the DOM environment. This creates a pathway for attackers to invoke unspecified methods that should remain hidden from regular JavaScript execution contexts. The flaw essentially allows attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to restricted browser functionality through carefully crafted malicious code that exploits this interface passing mechanism.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses a severe threat to browser security as it enables remote code execution capabilities through cross-site scripting attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass sandboxing mechanisms and DOM restrictions that are fundamental to browser security models. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive system resources, manipulate browser internals, or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects users of older browser versions where the security patches have not been applied, making it a persistent threat in environments with outdated software deployments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically highlighting issues with object wrapper security boundaries. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as attackers can inject malicious code through the compromised object wrapper interfaces. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1070, related to indicator removal and tampering, as attackers might attempt to hide their activities within the browser's native interfaces. Organizations should immediately update to Firefox 34.0 or later and SeaMonkey 2.31 or later to mitigate this risk, as these versions contain the necessary patches to properly enforce object wrapper restrictions and prevent native-interface passing that could be exploited by malicious actors.