CVE-2005-2414 in xpcom
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the xpcom library, as used by web browsers such as Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, and Galeon, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large HTML file that loads a DOM call from within nested DIV tags, which causes part of the currently rendering page and referenced objects to be deleted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2414 represents a critical race condition within the xpcom library component that forms the foundation of several major web browsers including Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, and Galeon. This flaw emerges from the improper handling of concurrent operations during HTML document rendering, specifically when processing deeply nested DOM structures. The xpcom library serves as a cross-platform component object model that enables various browser functionalities and inter-component communication, making it a crucial element in the browser architecture that directly impacts user experience and application stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a timing issue where multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify the same memory locations simultaneously during page rendering operations. When a specially crafted HTML file containing deeply nested div tags is processed, the browser's rendering engine encounters a scenario where part of the currently rendering page structure and its associated objects become subject to premature deletion while other operations are still referencing them. This race condition creates a situation where memory access violations occur, leading to application instability and eventual crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be weaponized by remote attackers to disrupt browser functionality and potentially create conditions for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The crash occurs during normal page rendering operations, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate content and malicious payloads, thus increasing the attack surface and potential for exploitation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates how improper synchronization mechanisms can lead to critical system failures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access and execution tactics, as attackers can leverage it to establish a foothold through malicious web content. The flaw's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when embedded within other malicious content. The vulnerability's impact on browser stability means that successful exploitation can lead to complete application termination, requiring users to manually restart their browsers and potentially lose unsaved work or session data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2414 primarily involve updating to patched versions of the affected browsers where the race condition has been addressed through proper synchronization mechanisms and memory management improvements. Browser vendors should implement robust locking mechanisms and ensure that DOM object references remain valid throughout the rendering process. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization of HTML content can help reduce the likelihood of triggering such race conditions. Users should maintain updated browser versions and exercise caution when visiting untrusted websites, particularly those containing complex HTML structures or unexpected nested elements that could potentially trigger the vulnerability.