172804 - Some "javascript:" URLs fail to load in new target tab/window

Status: VERIFIED DUPLICATE of bug 138198

(SeaMonkey :: General, defect)

Description

[Joshua C. Lerner]

Some sites use "javascript:" URLs. When a user clicks such a link, the function 
specified is called. In the case below from realestate.nytimes.com, LookDetails().

 <a href="javascript:LookDetails('U','36-S2110993L',4)">303 EAST 57TH ST</a>

When a user tries to load such a link in a new tab or window, the empty
about:blank page appears. No more specific error message. The page referenced by
the link loads normally if you just left-click the link.

Reproduce by visiting http://realestate.nytimes.com/, do a query (e.g. sales,
Manhattan). Then find a "javascript:"-style link.

Comment 1

[Gregory McLean]

WFM on Mozilla 1.0.1 RH 8.0, reporter what BuildID of mozilla are you seeing
this with?

Comment 2

[Joshua C. Lerner]

1.2a for Linux

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.2a) Gecko/20020910

Gregory, you are able to open in a new tab URLs that like
javascript:LookDetails(...) ?

I get the following error in the JavaScript console (1.2a for Linux, 1.0.1 for
Linux, and Phoenix 0.1):

Error: LookDetails is not defined
Source File: javascript:LookDetails(...) Line: 1

Comment 3

[Matthias Versen [:Matti]]

-> invalid

if you open the link in a new window you open this link :
javascript:LookDetails('N','6006C301A52889.0',3)

and this can't work and it also doesn't work in IE5
and of course you get this error because the function isn't defined in this new
window.
Mozilla can't warn you because it can't know if this link is valid or not before
you open it in a new window.

Comment 4

[Joshua C. Lerner]

I'm not surprised that such a link doesn't work. My point is, 
shouldn't it made to work? Why should javascript: links only 
work if you select the link in the normal way (left-click). Why 
should it make a difference if you left-click, or try to open
the link in a new tab, or a new window?

Comment 5

[Matthias Versen [:Matti]]

This is very clear invalid !

if you left click you execute that JS in this page and this JS opens a new window.
if you right click it and select open in new window, you open a new window and
let mozilla load this JS in this new window.
This JS doesn't make sense without the JS functions in the old document.

YOu can't see the "point". that the JS doesn't make sense without the old JS
functions in the old page. And you can't use this functions in the new window
because that would be a possible security risk.


-> invalid

Comment 6

[Joshua C. Lerner]

> This JS doesn't make sense without the JS functions in the old document.

I understand that this is why it doesn't work. 

However, how would it be a security risk to make the JS function(s) available
in a new window or tab, so that the link works, regardless of the target
window. 

Comment 7

[Matthias Versen [:Matti]]

found a better resolution

Comment 8

[Matthias Versen [:Matti]]

marking as dupe of bug 138198
bug 128198#7 indicates that this bug will possible also marked as
invalid/wontfix or will not be fixed in the near future (6-12months)

*** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of 138198 ***

Comment 9

[Sitsofe Wheeler]

Verified.