CVE-2015-7214 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 43.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x before 38.5 allow remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via data: and view-source: URIs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7214 represents a critical security flaw in Mozilla Firefox browsers that existed prior to version 43.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x prior to 38.5. This issue fundamentally undermines the core security principle of web browsers by allowing remote attackers to circumvent the Same Origin Policy mechanism that is essential for maintaining web application security. The Same Origin Policy serves as the foundational security model that prevents scripts from one origin from accessing resources from another origin, thereby protecting users from cross-site scripting attacks and data theft. When this policy is bypassed, it creates a severe vector for attackers to exploit web applications and user data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of data: and view-source: URIs, which are special URI schemes used by browsers to display data directly in the browser window or to view the source code of web pages. These URI schemes typically have restricted access patterns and are designed to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. However, the flaw in Firefox allowed attackers to craft malicious URLs that could bypass these restrictions, enabling them to access content that should normally be restricted by the Same Origin Policy. This vulnerability specifically affected how Firefox handled these particular URI schemes when they were used in cross-origin contexts, creating a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized data access and potentially execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities that would normally be prevented by proper browser security mechanisms. Attackers could potentially access sensitive data from other domains, including cookies, session information, and user credentials that are typically protected by the Same Origin Policy. This vulnerability also enables attackers to perform cross-site request forgery attacks, manipulate user sessions, and potentially gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The implications extend beyond simple data theft to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the bypassed security mechanisms could be leveraged to access administrative interfaces or sensitive system information.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update their Firefox installations to versions 43.0 or later for regular releases, or 38.5 or later for ESR versions to remediate the issue. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in web security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the browser's security model rather than traditional network-based attacks. Security professionals should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious URI patterns and consider deploying web application firewalls that can identify and block malicious data: and view-source: URI usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links and visiting suspicious websites remains crucial in mitigating the risk associated with this and similar browser-based vulnerabilities.