A vulnerability identified in Firefox for Android could have been exploited to remotely open arbitrary websites on a targeted user’s phone without the need to click on links, install malicious applications, or conduct man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks.
The flaw was discovered by researcher Chris Moberly in version 68 of Firefox for Android. It was reported to Mozilla, which confirmed that the new Firefox Fenix (starting with version 79) is not impacted — the Firefox for Android version jumped from 68 to 79 due to Fenix replacing the Fennec version.
According to Moberly, the vulnerability is related to Firefox periodically sending out SSDP discovery messages in search of second-screen devices that it can cast to. These messages can be seen by any device that is connected to the same local area network (LAN).
An attacker connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the targeted user can deploy a malicious SSDP server that is set up to respond with specially crafted messages that cause Firefox to open an arbitrary website.
This is possible because the messages broadcasted by Firefox are looking for an XML file describing a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device that it can cast to, but the attacker’s server instead responds with a message pointing to an Android intent URI that is invoked by Firefox.
“The vulnerability resembles RCE (remote command execution) in that a remote (on same WiFi network) attacker can trigger the device to perform unauthorized functions with zero interaction from the end user. However, that execution is not totally arbitrary in that it can only call predefined application intents,” Moberly explained.
He added, “Had it been used in the wild, it could have targeted known-vulnerable intents in other applications. Or, it could have been used in a way similar to phishing attacks where a malicious site is forced onto the target without their knowledge in the hopes they would enter some sensitive info or agree to install a malicious application. The exploit POC can direct-link to a .xpi file, prompting for immediate installation of a malicious extension to compromise the browser itself.”
Moberly has released technical details and a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit. ESET researcher Lukas Stefanko has confirmed that the exploit works and he has posted a video showing how an attacker can open arbitrary websites on three phones at the same time.
Related: Mozilla Patches Two Firefox Vulnerabilities Exploited in Attacks
Related: Details Released for Recently Patched Code Execution Vulnerability in Firefox
Related: Cisco Discloses Details of Chrome, Firefox Vulnerabilities
Eduard Kovacs (@EduardKovacs) is a contributing editor at SecurityWeek. He worked as a high school IT teacher for two years before starting a career in journalism as Softpedia’s security news reporter. Eduard holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial informatics and a master’s degree in computer techniques applied in electrical engineering.
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