CVE-2009-1305 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The JavaScript engine in Mozilla Firefox before 3.0.9, Thunderbird before 2.0.0.22, and SeaMonkey before 1.1.16 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly trigger memory corruption via vectors involving JSOP_DEFVAR and properties that lack the JSPROP_PERMANENT attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1305 represents a critical flaw in the JavaScript engine of several Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This issue stems from improper handling of JavaScript operations within the engine's execution environment, specifically affecting how variables are defined and managed during script execution. The vulnerability manifests when the JSOP_DEFVAR operation encounters properties that do not possess the JSPROP_PERMANENT attribute, creating a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise application stability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the JavaScript engine's memory management and object property handling mechanisms. When the engine processes JSOP_DEFVAR operations on properties lacking the JSPROP_PERMANENT attribute, it fails to properly validate or manage the memory associated with these operations. This flaw creates a potential for heap corruption and memory inconsistency issues that can lead to unpredictable application behavior. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of JavaScript engine internals and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web page execution without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the primary effect is application crash and denial of service, the underlying memory corruption capabilities present a pathway for remote code execution in certain circumstances. Attackers can craft malicious JavaScript code that specifically targets this vulnerability by manipulating variable definitions and property attributes in ways that trigger the memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across different user bases and attack vectors. Security researchers have classified this issue as particularly concerning due to its potential for exploitation in browser-based attacks where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1305 require immediate patch deployment across all affected Mozilla applications, with organizations prioritizing updates to Firefox 3.0.9, Thunderbird 2.0.0.22, and SeaMonkey 1.1.16. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable applications are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions, enabling strict security policies within browsers, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious JavaScript patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in JavaScript engines, aligning with common security practices outlined in industry standards such as those referenced in CWE-125 for out-of-bounds reads and CWE-787 for out-of-bounds writes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution through browser-based attacks, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures and continuous monitoring of browser security updates.