CVE-2010-1198 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.10 and 3.6.x before 3.6.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.5, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving multiple plugin instances.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1198 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers. This security issue manifests in versions prior to specific patch releases, creating a significant attack surface for remote code execution. The flaw specifically impacts Firefox 3.5.x versions before 3.5.10 and 3.6.x versions before 3.6.4, alongside SeaMonkey versions before 2.0.5. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management handling within the browser's plugin architecture, where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves multiple plugin instances that trigger memory corruption during concurrent operations. When the browser processes plugin interactions, particularly those involving complex multimedia or active content, the memory management system fails to properly track reference counts for allocated objects. This leads to situations where plugin instances attempt to access memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated for other purposes. The flaw operates through a race condition scenario where the timing of memory deallocation and subsequent access creates a window for exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious web content that forces the browser into a state where plugin objects are destroyed while still being referenced, enabling arbitrary code execution through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This creates potential for privilege escalation attacks, where malicious actors can leverage the compromised browser to gain deeper system access or deploy additional malware components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates remotely without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it an attractive target for automated attacks. The use-after-free condition can be exploited to overwrite critical memory structures, potentially leading to complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and available privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1198 focus primarily on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to the affected versions. Organizations should prioritize updating to Firefox 3.5.10, 3.6.4, or SeaMonkey 2.0.5 and later releases that contain the necessary memory management fixes. Browser administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious plugin interactions, configuring browser security settings to restrict plugin execution, and employing sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that fall under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual plugin behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability creates specific memory access patterns that can be identified through forensic analysis.