CVE-2008-4064 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Mozilla Firefox 3.x before 3.0.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to graphics rendering and (1) handling of a long alert messagebox in the cairo_surface_set_device_offset function, (2) integer overflows when handling animated PNG data in the info_callback function in nsPNGDecoder.cpp, and (3) an integer overflow when handling SVG data in the nsSVGFEGaussianBlurElement::SetupPredivide function in nsSVGFilters.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4064 represents a critical security flaw affecting Mozilla Firefox 3.x versions prior to 3.0.2, where multiple unspecified vulnerabilities exist within the browser's graphics rendering subsystem. These vulnerabilities stem from improper handling of various graphic formats and rendering operations, creating opportunities for remote attackers to exploit memory corruption issues that can lead to either denial of service conditions or arbitrary code execution. The affected components span across core graphics libraries and format decoders, making this a comprehensive security issue that impacts the browser's fundamental rendering capabilities.
The technical implementation of these vulnerabilities manifests through three distinct attack vectors that all involve memory manipulation and integer overflow conditions. The first vector involves the cairo_surface_set_device_offset function where a long alert messagebox handling creates memory corruption through improper bounds checking. The second vector occurs in the nsPNGDecoder.cpp file within the info_callback function, where integer overflows during animated PNG data processing can lead to memory corruption. The third vector targets the nsSVGFilters.cpp file in the nsSVGFEGaussianBlurElement::SetupPredivide function, where integer overflow conditions during SVG data handling create exploitable memory corruption scenarios. These issues are classified under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-190, which covers integer overflow conditions.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making them particularly dangerous in web browsing environments. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can cause Firefox applications to crash unpredictably or potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This creates significant risks for users who browse untrusted websites, as the attack surface includes common web content formats such as png images, svg graphics, and alert messaging systems. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they affect core browser functionality that is frequently accessed during normal browsing operations, making exploitation relatively easy for attackers.
The attack patterns associated with CVE-2008-4064 align with the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and code execution through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Specifically, these issues map to T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1106 for execution through system commands, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context. The vulnerabilities also relate to T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1070 for bypassing security controls through memory corruption attacks. Organizations should consider these attack vectors when implementing security monitoring and incident response procedures. The recommended mitigations include immediate patching to Firefox 3.0.2 or later versions, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls, and deploying browser hardening measures that restrict access to potentially vulnerable graphic formats. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated to address known vulnerabilities.