CVE-2022-38474 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2022
A website that had permission to access the microphone could record audio without the audio notification being shown. This bug does not allow the attacker to bypass the permission prompt - it only affects the notification shown once permission has been granted.<br />*This bug only affects Firefox for Android. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 104.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a significant privacy concern within Firefox for Android's audio capture implementation, specifically addressing the improper handling of user notification mechanisms. The flaw exists in the browser's permission system where authorized access to microphone functionality does not trigger the expected visual audio notification indicators. This creates a scenario where users remain unaware when their microphone is actively recording audio despite having granted explicit permission for such access. The vulnerability is classified under the CWE-602 weakness category, which deals with client-side attacks that rely on user trust and awareness, making it particularly concerning for privacy-sensitive environments where users expect clear visual feedback when their devices are actively capturing audio data.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in Firefox's Android-specific audio capture subsystem where the permission granting process correctly validates user authorization but fails to properly display the audio recording indicator. This discrepancy occurs after the permission has been successfully granted, meaning the browser correctly enforces the permission prompt mechanism but neglects to maintain proper user awareness through visual notifications. The vulnerability affects Firefox versions prior to 104, indicating this was a targeted issue within a specific release cycle where the audio notification system was not properly synchronized with the permission granting process. This represents a failure in the browser's user interface consistency and security awareness protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user inconvenience to potential privacy violations and security risks. Users who believe their microphone is not active may unknowingly allow audio recording to occur without their knowledge or consent, creating scenarios where sensitive conversations or environments could be captured without proper user awareness. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile users who rely on visual indicators to understand device functionality and security status, as the absence of audio notification can lead to situations where users remain unaware of active surveillance. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and persistence techniques, as it allows for covert data collection that bypasses normal user awareness mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to version 104 or later where the audio notification system has been properly implemented. Users should ensure their Firefox for Android installations are updated to the latest version to prevent unauthorized audio capture without visual indication. System administrators and security professionals should monitor for affected versions and implement automated update policies for mobile browser components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual audio capture patterns that might indicate unauthorized access. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining consistent user awareness mechanisms in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor UI implementation flaws can create significant privacy risks in mobile environments where users may not have immediate access to alternative verification methods.