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CVE-2025-55032: Focus incorrectly ignores Content-Disposition headers for some MIME types in Mozilla Focus for iOS

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2025-55032cvecve-2025-55032
Published: Tue Aug 19 2025 (08/19/2025, 20:52:50 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: Mozilla
Product: Focus for iOS

Description

Focus for iOS would not respect a Content-Disposition header of type Attachment and would incorrectly display the content inline, potentially allowing for XSS attacks This vulnerability affects Focus for iOS < 142.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 08/19/2025, 21:18:34 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-55032 is a vulnerability identified in Mozilla Focus for iOS versions prior to 142. The issue arises because the browser fails to correctly respect the Content-Disposition HTTP header when it is set to 'Attachment' for certain MIME types. Normally, the Content-Disposition header with the 'Attachment' directive instructs the browser to treat the content as a downloadable file rather than rendering it inline. However, due to this flaw, Focus for iOS incorrectly displays such content inline. This behavior can be exploited to execute cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, where malicious scripts embedded in the content are executed within the context of the browser. XSS vulnerabilities can allow attackers to steal sensitive information, hijack user sessions, or perform actions on behalf of the user. Although there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because it affects the integrity of content rendering and the security model of the browser. The vulnerability specifically impacts Mozilla Focus for iOS, a privacy-focused browser designed for Apple mobile devices. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the severity has not yet been formally assessed, but the nature of the vulnerability suggests a serious security concern, especially given the potential for XSS attacks that do not require user authentication but may require user interaction such as visiting a maliciously crafted URL or content.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be considerable, particularly for those whose employees or customers use Mozilla Focus on iOS devices. XSS attacks can lead to data breaches involving confidential information, session hijacking, and unauthorized actions performed under the guise of legitimate users. This can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of corporate data and may also affect availability if attackers leverage the vulnerability to deploy further attacks such as malware or ransomware. Organizations in sectors handling sensitive personal data, such as finance, healthcare, and government, are at higher risk due to the potential for regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised. Additionally, the privacy-centric nature of Mozilla Focus means users may have a false sense of security, increasing the risk of successful exploitation. Since the vulnerability affects a mobile browser, it also raises concerns for remote workforces and mobile-first organizations prevalent in Europe. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

Mitigation Recommendations

Organizations should prioritize updating Mozilla Focus for iOS to version 142 or later as soon as the patch becomes available. Until then, users should be advised to avoid opening untrusted links or content in Mozilla Focus on iOS. IT departments should consider deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce browser updates and restrict installation of vulnerable versions. Additionally, organizations can implement network-level protections such as web filtering to block access to suspicious URLs that might exploit this vulnerability. Security awareness training should emphasize the risks of clicking unknown links and the importance of using updated software. For web developers and administrators, ensuring that web applications implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS attacks by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. Monitoring for unusual browser behavior or signs of XSS exploitation in logs can also aid early detection. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of mobile browsers in use to assess exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
mozilla
Date Reserved
2025-08-05T13:26:34.686Z
Cvss Version
null
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 68a4e678ad5a09ad00fb5d98

Added to database: 8/19/2025, 9:02:48 PM

Last enriched: 8/19/2025, 9:18:34 PM

Last updated: 8/19/2025, 9:18:34 PM

Views: 2

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