Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

BID:33137

Info

Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 33137
Class: Design Error
CVE: CVE-2009-0068
Remote: Yes
Local: No
Published: Jan 06 2009 12:00AM
Updated: Feb 03 2009 10:59PM
Credit: Manuel Reimer
Vulnerable: Xdg-utils Xdg-utils 0
Slackware Linux 12.2
Slackware Linux -current
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.5
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.4
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.3
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.2
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1
Mozilla Firefox 3.0 Beta 5
Mozilla Firefox 3.0
Not Vulnerable:

Discussion

Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Mozilla Firefox is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability because the browser fails to properly validate the 'mime-type' of files before calling the 'xdg-open' utility, as defined in '/etc/mailcap'.

An attacker can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected browser.

This issue affects Firefox running on Slackware Linux 12.2. Other versions may also be vulnerable.

UPDATE (January 8, 2009): The exact fault for this issue is currently unclear. This could be a configuration problem in Slackware Linux, a failure to sanitize input in Firefox, or a problem in 'xdg-open'. We will update this BID pending further investigation.

Exploit / POC

Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

An attacker can exploit this issue by enticing an unsuspecting victim to view a malicious file using the affected application.

The following website demonstrates this issue.

NOTE: Symantec urges caution when testing exploits from third-party sources.

https://prefbar.mozdev.org/testxdgopen.html
http://prefbar.mozdev.org/testxdgopen.html

Solution / Fix

Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Solution:
Updates are available. Please see the referenced for more information.

References

Mozilla Firefox xdg-open 'mailcap' File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

References:

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