CVE-2015-0801 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 37.0, Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.6, and Thunderbird before 31.6 allow remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and execute arbitrary JavaScript code with chrome privileges via vectors involving anchor navigation, a similar issue to CVE-2015-0818.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0801 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird browsers that fundamentally undermines the browser's core security model. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox 37.0 and Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.6, as well as Thunderbird versions before 31.6, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit browser security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the Same Origin Policy implementation, which serves as one of the fundamental pillars of web security by preventing unauthorized access between different origins and protecting users from cross-site scripting attacks. The flaw enables attackers to bypass these essential protections through carefully crafted anchor navigation sequences that manipulate the browser's internal state and execution context.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves leveraging specific anchor navigation behaviors within the browser's rendering engine to manipulate the execution context of JavaScript code. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that, when navigated to, trigger a sequence of events that allows arbitrary JavaScript execution with chrome privileges - meaning code that operates with the highest level of browser permissions and access to system resources. This is particularly dangerous because chrome privileges grant access to sensitive browser internals, user data, and system functions that should normally be restricted from web content. The vulnerability shares similarities with CVE-2015-0818, indicating a broader pattern of issues within Firefox's navigation and privilege management systems, suggesting that the underlying architectural flaws may extend beyond this single vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0801 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges that can lead to complete browser compromise and potential system infiltration. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard web security restrictions and gain access to sensitive user data, cookies, local storage, and potentially system resources. The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as attackers could install malware, modify browser behavior, monitor user activities, or escalate privileges to gain broader system access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a malicious website that tricks users into clicking on a specially crafted link, making it particularly dangerous in phishing attacks or compromised websites where users might not be aware they are interacting with malicious content.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected browser versions to the latest stable releases. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious navigation patterns, while browser security policies should be reviewed to ensure that privilege escalation opportunities are minimized. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage web-based delivery mechanisms. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and CWE-352 which covers cross-site request forgery, highlighting the intersection of privilege management and origin policy enforcement failures. Regular security assessments and user education regarding suspicious web interactions remain essential components of a comprehensive defense strategy against this and similar browser-based vulnerabilities.