CVE-2019-11754 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
When the pointer lock is enabled by a website though requestPointerLock(), no user notification is given. This could allow a malicious website to hijack the mouse pointer and confuse users. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 69.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11754 represents a significant security flaw in Firefox browsers prior to version 69.0.1, specifically related to the pointer lock API implementation. This issue stems from the browser's failure to provide explicit user notification when a website attempts to acquire pointer lock through the requestPointerLock() JavaScript API. The pointer lock functionality is designed to allow websites to capture mouse movements and disable the cursor, enabling immersive experiences such as first-person 3D navigation or gaming interfaces. However, the absence of user awareness when this capability is invoked creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can exploit this functionality without user consent or knowledge.
The technical flaw manifests in the browser's user interface design where the requestPointerLock() API operates silently in the background, failing to present any visual or auditory indicators to users when such a lock is being established. This lack of transparency means that users cannot distinguish between legitimate website behavior and malicious intent, particularly when websites attempt to maintain persistent pointer lock states. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-693, which deals with protection mechanism failures, specifically in the context of user consent and awareness mechanisms. The flaw essentially bypasses the fundamental security principle of informed consent, where users should be explicitly notified of actions that significantly alter their interaction with the computing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user confusion, creating potential vectors for advanced persistent threats and social engineering attacks. Malicious websites can exploit this capability to create deceptive user experiences where the mouse pointer appears to be "lost" or behaves unexpectedly, potentially leading to phishing attempts, credential theft, or other malicious activities. Attackers can maintain continuous pointer lock sessions without user knowledge, making it difficult for victims to recognize when their mouse control has been compromised. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001, which covers input capture through keylogging and pointer manipulation, and T1546.008, which involves the abuse of system privileges for pointer manipulation. The persistent nature of the lock can make detection particularly challenging for users who may not immediately recognize that their pointer has been hijacked.
Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability allows attackers to create persistent pointer lock sessions that can last for extended periods, potentially indefinitely, until the user manually releases the lock through specific browser controls. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous in environments where users may be engaged in sensitive activities such as online banking, email communication, or accessing confidential information. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing user notification mechanisms that clearly indicate when pointer lock has been activated, requiring explicit user confirmation before granting such capabilities. Browser vendors should also consider implementing timeout mechanisms or periodic user prompts to ensure that pointer lock states do not remain active without user awareness. The fix implemented in Firefox 69.0.1 involved adding explicit user notification prompts and improving the transparency of pointer lock operations, addressing the core issue of user consent and awareness in the browser's interaction model.