CVE-2009-3373 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the GIF image parser in Mozilla Firefox before 3.0.15 and 3.5.x before 3.5.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.0, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3373 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey web browsers. This flaw exists within the Graphics Interchange Format gif image parser component, which processes image data when users browse web pages containing gif files. The vulnerability specifically impacts Firefox versions prior to 3.0.15 and 3.5.x versions before 3.5.4, alongside SeaMonkey versions before 2.0, creating a widespread attack surface across multiple browser versions. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted gif images, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to heap memory exceeds the allocated buffer size.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to remotely compromise affected systems through web-based attacks. Attackers can craft malicious gif images that, when loaded by vulnerable browsers, trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities for code execution. The attack vector typically involves delivering malicious gif content through compromised websites or email attachments, where users inadvertently trigger the vulnerable parser when viewing the content. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can potentially manipulate heap metadata and control program execution flow, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for web browser environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3373 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected browser versions, as the vulnerability was addressed through security updates released by Mozilla. Organizations should prioritize updating to Firefox 3.0.15, 3.5.4, or later versions, and SeaMonkey 2.0 or newer to eliminate the risk. Additional defensive measures include implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious gif content, enabling sandboxing features where available, and educating users about avoiding untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia parsing components, as highlighted in industry standards such as the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines and the OWASP secure coding practices. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the attack surface remains relevant for legacy systems that cannot be immediately patched.