CVE-2016-2809 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Mozilla Maintenance Service updater in Mozilla Firefox before 46.0 on Windows allows user-assisted remote attackers to delete arbitrary files by leveraging certain local file execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2809 represents a critical file deletion flaw within the Mozilla Maintenance Service component of Firefox versions prior to 46.0 on Windows operating systems. This issue arises from insufficient validation of file paths and execution contexts within the updater service, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through user-assisted remote attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the local file execution mechanisms that the maintenance service employs during software updates, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system in unauthorized ways.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file paths that the Mozilla Maintenance Service processes during update operations. Attackers can craft malicious update packages or manipulate existing update mechanisms to cause the service to execute commands that delete arbitrary files from the target system. This flaw operates under the principle of improper input validation where the service fails to properly sanitize file paths before executing operations, creating a path traversal or arbitrary file deletion scenario. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as it involves improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and it aligns with CWE-73 as it allows for arbitrary file manipulation through external inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2809 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to compromise system integrity and potentially escalate privileges. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise by removing critical system files, registry entries, or security components that maintain the system's security posture. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must perform specific actions to trigger the exploit, such as downloading and installing malicious update packages or visiting compromised websites that deliver the malicious payloads. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through service manipulation.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Firefox installations to version 46.0 or later, which includes enhanced input validation and improved file path handling within the maintenance service. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious update traffic and file system modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized update processes and establish robust backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential file deletion incidents. Additional security measures include regular security assessments of update mechanisms and maintaining current threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.