CVE-2016-2829 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 47.0 allows remote attackers to spoof permission notifications via a crafted web site that rapidly triggers permission requests, as demonstrated by the microphone permission or the geolocation permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2829 represents a significant user interface deception flaw in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 47.0, specifically targeting the browser's permission notification system. This issue enables remote attackers to manipulate the user experience through carefully crafted web content that exploits the timing and frequency of permission requests, creating a misleading security environment for users interacting with web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Firefox's handling of permission prompts during web page loading and interaction. When a malicious website rapidly triggers multiple permission requests for microphone or geolocation access, the browser's notification system becomes overwhelmed and fails to properly distinguish between legitimate user-initiated requests and automated malicious attempts. This creates a scenario where users may be presented with spoofed permission notifications that appear to originate from the legitimate website but are actually generated through rapid request sequences designed to confuse the browser's user interface. The flaw operates at the application layer of the browser's security model, specifically affecting the presentation and handling of security prompts that users rely upon for making informed decisions about their privacy and security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user interface confusion to potentially enable more sophisticated social engineering attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to make users believe they are being prompted for legitimate permissions while actually deceiving them into granting access to sensitive system resources. The rapid-fire permission requests can cause the browser's notification system to display overlapping or conflicting prompts, making it difficult for users to determine which requests are genuine and which are part of the spoofing attack. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may not be security-aware or who are operating under time pressure, as the rapid sequence of notifications can overwhelm their ability to properly assess the legitimacy of each request.
Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability under CWE-693, which deals with protection mechanism weaknesses, specifically focusing on the inadequate protection of security-relevant information. The flaw demonstrates how browser vendors must carefully consider the timing and presentation of security notifications to prevent manipulation by attackers who understand the underlying user interface implementation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for execution through web-based attacks, where the deception occurs through manipulation of the user interface rather than direct code execution. The vulnerability also relates to T1566, which covers social engineering attacks that exploit user trust in security prompts, highlighting how attackers can manipulate the browser's own security mechanisms against the user.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Firefox version 47.0 or later, where Mozilla implemented enhanced handling of rapid permission requests and improved notification system behavior. Additionally, users should maintain awareness of their browser's permission prompts and verify the legitimacy of requests before granting access to sensitive resources. Security administrators should consider implementing browser hardening policies that limit the frequency of permission requests and monitor for suspicious permission request patterns. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates and the need for browser vendors to continuously evaluate their user interface security mechanisms against potential attack vectors that exploit timing and presentation weaknesses.