CVE-2009-2467 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 3.0.12 and 3.5 before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a Flash object, a slow script dialog, and the unloading of the Flash plugin, which triggers attempted use of a deleted object.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2467 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 3.0.12 and 3.5.1. This flaw manifests through interactions between Adobe Flash plugin components and Firefox's JavaScript engine, creating a scenario where improper memory management leads to application instability. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Flash objects within the browser environment, where the interaction between different components creates conditions for memory access violations.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a race condition and use-after-free error that occurs during the dynamic unloading of Flash plugin components. When Firefox encounters a Flash object that triggers a slow script dialog, the browser attempts to clean up resources associated with the Flash plugin. However, if the cleanup process occurs while JavaScript code is still executing or referencing the Flash object, the system attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated. This creates a scenario where the application crashes or potentially allows arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted malicious Flash content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where Firefox is widely deployed. The denial of service aspect can be exploited by attackers to repeatedly crash browser sessions, disrupting productivity and potentially creating persistent availability issues. The arbitrary code execution capability elevates this vulnerability to critical severity, as it could enable attackers to gain full control over affected systems. The attack vector requires a user to interact with malicious content containing Flash objects, making social engineering a potential complementary attack method.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and demonstrates how improper resource management in browser environments can lead to serious security implications. From the ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through browser-based attacks. The exploitation requires the victim to visit a malicious website containing crafted Flash content, making it a typical example of a web-based attack vector that leverages browser plugin vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Firefox to versions 3.0.12 or 3.5.1, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling Flash plugin execution or restricting it to trusted sites only. Network-level controls can help by blocking known malicious Flash content, though this approach is less effective given the complexity of modern web applications. Regular security assessments should include verification of browser plugin versions and proper patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.
The remediation process requires careful attention to compatibility issues, as Flash plugin removal or restriction may impact legitimate web applications that depend on Flash functionality. System administrators should implement comprehensive testing procedures before deploying patches to ensure that critical business applications remain functional. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect unusual browser behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing layered defense strategies that reduce the attack surface for known vulnerabilities.