CVE-2007-1794 in Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The Javascript engine in Mozilla 1.7 and earlier on Sun Solaris 8, 9, and 10 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving garbage collection that causes deletion of a temporary object that is still being used. NOTE: this issue might be related to CVE-2006-3805.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1794 represents a critical heap corruption issue within the JavaScript engine of Mozilla 1.7 and earlier versions when running on Sun Solaris 8, 9, and 10 operating systems. This flaw occurs during the garbage collection process where temporary objects are prematurely deleted while still being referenced by active JavaScript execution contexts. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that create a race condition between object lifecycle management and code execution, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the JavaScript engine's memory state. The issue is particularly severe because it affects the core execution engine of the browser, providing attackers with a pathway to arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted JavaScript payloads that trigger the problematic garbage collection scenario.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the JavaScript engine's garbage collector making incorrect assumptions about object reference counts and memory validity during the collection cycle. When the garbage collector identifies a temporary object as eligible for deletion, it may proceed with the cleanup operation even when that object is still actively referenced by running JavaScript code. This creates a use-after-free condition where the memory location previously occupied by the deleted object becomes available for reuse, but the original code continues to reference the now-invalid memory address. The flaw is specifically exacerbated on Solaris systems due to differences in memory management and garbage collection implementation compared to other operating systems, making the exploitation more predictable and reliable. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of improper memory management in interpreted environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise capabilities for attackers who can successfully exploit it. Since the vulnerability affects the JavaScript engine at its core level, successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise if the browser runs with elevated permissions. The attack vector requires remote code execution through web-based JavaScript content, making it particularly dangerous for web applications and online services that rely on browser-based functionality. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2006-3805 indicates a broader pattern of memory management flaws in Mozilla's JavaScript engine, suggesting that similar issues may exist within the same codebase and highlighting the need for comprehensive security reviews of the engine's memory management subsystems. This vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of web browsers, as it allows attackers to bypass security boundaries that should prevent malicious code from executing on the underlying system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1794 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later versions where the JavaScript engine memory management has been significantly improved and the specific garbage collection flaw has been addressed. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to potentially malicious JavaScript content. Browser security configurations should be hardened by disabling JavaScript execution in untrusted environments or implementing strict sandboxing measures that isolate JavaScript execution from system-level operations. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific vulnerability class. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for JavaScript execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint protection and monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent such exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all affected systems have been properly updated and that no legacy installations remain vulnerable to this memory corruption issue.