CVE-2016-1943 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 44.0 on Android allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via the scrollTo method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1943 represents a significant security flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 44.0 on Android platforms that enables remote attackers to manipulate the browser's address bar display. This issue specifically leverages the scrollTo JavaScript method to create a deceptive user interface experience that can mislead users about the true origin of web content they are interacting with. The flaw resides in the browser's handling of scroll positioning commands within the context of address bar rendering, creating a potential vector for phishing attacks and other social engineering exploits that rely on visual deception.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper validation and handling of the scrollTo method within Firefox's Android implementation. When malicious web content executes this method, it can manipulate the visual positioning of elements on the page in such a way that the address bar appears to display a different URL than what is actually being rendered. This occurs because the browser fails to properly validate that scroll operations initiated by JavaScript code should not affect the visibility or positioning of security-critical UI elements like the address bar. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in the Android environment where the browser's rendering engine may have different security boundaries compared to desktop implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception to potentially enable sophisticated phishing attacks where attackers can make users believe they are visiting legitimate websites while actually being directed to malicious content. Users may be tricked into entering sensitive information on fraudulent pages that appear to be from trusted sources due to the spoofed address bar. This vulnerability directly undermines the fundamental security principle of user authentication and trust in web browsing environments, as it allows attackers to bypass critical visual security indicators that users rely upon to verify website legitimacy. The attack surface is particularly broad given that this affects all Android users of Firefox versions prior to 44.0 and can be exploited through any web page that loads malicious JavaScript code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to Firefox version 44.0 or later where the issue has been addressed through improved validation of scroll operations and enhanced security boundaries around UI elements. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched Firefox version across all affected Android devices. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict the use of potentially dangerous JavaScript methods, enabling security extensions that monitor for suspicious scroll behaviors, and conducting user education about the importance of verifying URL authenticity through multiple means beyond visual inspection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a specific instance of how JavaScript API misuse can compromise user security. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities is further enhanced by ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web-based interfaces, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in mobile browsing environments where users may be less vigilant about security verification.