CVE-2023-5726 - Obscured Full Screen Notification on macOS Systems: Code Snippet, References, and Exploit Details

A recently discovered vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-5726, affects macOS operating systems running affected versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. This vulnerability revolves around the possibility for websites to obscure the full screen notification in the file open dialog, leading to user confusion and potential spoofing attacks. It is crucial for macOS users to keep their systems and applications up-to-date to mitigate the threat posed by this vulnerability. This post will provide a code snippet, links to original references, and details about the exploit.

Code Snippet

The following code snippet demonstrates how a website could potentially exploit this vulnerability by triggering the file open dialog to obscure the full screen notification:

function obscureFullScreen() {
  document.documentElement.requestFullscreen();
  setTimeout(() => {
    document.querySelector('input[type="file"]').click();
  }, 500);
}

document.querySelector('button').addEventListener('click', obscureFullScreen);

In this example, the obscureFullScreen function is called when a user clicks a button on the page. It requests full-screen mode for the page, then opens the file dialog to prevent the user from seeing the full screen notification.

Exploit Details

This vulnerability allows attackers to create a fake user interface or malicious content while obscuring the full screen notification that typically appears when a website enters full-screen mode. Unsuspecting users might then engage with the attacker's content, believing it to be legitimate and allowing for potential spoofing attacks.

For example, an attacker could use this vulnerability to create a fake banking site. When the user logs in, the site could obscure the full screen notification, tricking the user into believing that their connection is secure and legitimate when it is not.

Original References

- Mozilla Foundation Security Advisory 2023-54
- Mozilla bug report

Mitigation

Users on macOS systems must update their Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird applications to their latest versions in order to protect themselves from this vulnerability. Updating these applications will address the issue by preventing websites from obscuring the full screen notification.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-5726 is a vulnerability that allows for potential spoofing attacks on macOS systems running affected versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. Users should promptly update their applications to protect themselves from this issue. Staying informed and vigilant are key factors in ensuring our digital safety.

Timeline

Published on: 10/25/2023 18:17:44 UTC
Last modified on: 11/02/2023 19:57:30 UTC