CVE-2024-5698 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
By manipulating the fullscreen feature while opening a data-list, an attacker could have overlaid a text box over the address bar. This could have led to user confusion and possible spoofing attacks. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 127.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a sophisticated browser security flaw that exploits the interaction between fullscreen mode and data-list elements to create deceptive user interfaces. The issue stems from Firefox's handling of the fullscreen API when combined with HTML data-list elements, allowing attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of web pages in ways that could mislead users about the true nature of their browsing environment. The vulnerability specifically affects Firefox versions prior to 127, indicating a targeted flaw in the browser's security model that could be exploited through carefully crafted web content. The security implications extend beyond simple visual deception to encompass potential phishing and spoofing attacks that could compromise user trust and security.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker manipulates the fullscreen API to display a data-list element that appears to overlay the browser's address bar or other critical UI elements. This manipulation occurs through the interaction between the HTML5 fullscreen specification and the data-list element's rendering behavior, creating a situation where user interface elements can be positioned in ways that obscure or mimic legitimate browser components. The vulnerability leverages the browser's lack of proper boundary checking between fullscreen content and traditional navigation UI elements, allowing malicious actors to create convincing fake address bars or other interface components that could deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate browser functionality. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, as it involves improper handling of UI element positioning and overlay behaviors that could lead to security misrepresentation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for user security and trust in browser environments. When users encounter a spoofed address bar or navigation element, they may be tricked into entering sensitive information or navigating to malicious sites without realizing they are not interacting with the legitimate browser interface. This creates an attack surface that could be exploited in phishing campaigns, credential harvesting attempts, or other social engineering attacks where the attacker's goal is to manipulate user perception of their browsing environment. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of user interface integrity, where users should be able to trust that the elements they interact with are genuine browser components rather than maliciously positioned overlays. This attack vector could be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may be targeted by sophisticated phishing campaigns designed to exploit such interface manipulation techniques.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Firefox version 127 or later, which includes patches that properly enforce boundaries between fullscreen content and navigation UI elements. Security practitioners should also implement comprehensive browser security policies that include regular update management and monitoring for similar interface manipulation vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as browser hardening configurations that restrict fullscreen API usage and monitor for suspicious UI overlay behaviors. This vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security assessment of browser APIs and their interactions, particularly those involving user interface elements that users trust implicitly. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper boundary enforcement between fullscreen content and browser UI components, preventing the overlay conditions that enabled the spoofing attack. This represents a critical lesson in the importance of maintaining secure user interface design principles and the need for thorough testing of API interactions that could be exploited to manipulate user perception of browser security.