CVE-2010-1212 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
js/src/jstracer.cpp in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox 3.6.x before 3.6.7 and Thunderbird 3.1.x before 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to (1) propagation of deep aborts in the TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_BINDNAME function, (2) depth handling in the TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_GETELEM function, and (3) tracing of out-of-range arguments in the TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_ARGSUB function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
This vulnerability resides in the JavaScript engine of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird, specifically within the jstracer.cpp file that handles trace recording for JavaScript execution. The flaw manifests in three distinct code paths within the TraceRecorder class where improper handling of specific JavaScript operations can lead to memory corruption. The vulnerability affects versions prior to Firefox 3.6.7 and Thunderbird 3.1.1, representing a critical security issue that could be exploited remotely by attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation involves three primary attack vectors that exploit different aspects of JavaScript bytecode interpretation. The first vector relates to propagation of deep aborts in the TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_BINDNAME function, where improper handling of abort conditions during trace recording can cause memory corruption. The second vector involves depth handling in TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_GETELEM, where incorrect management of nested operation depths leads to buffer overflows or memory corruption. The third vector targets tracing of out-of-range arguments in TraceRecorder::record_JSOP_ARGSUB, where insufficient bounds checking allows for invalid memory access patterns. These vulnerabilities fall under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write categories, representing fundamental memory safety issues in the JavaScript engine's trace recording mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution. When exploited, these flaws can cause application crashes through memory corruption, but more critically, they may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a significant threat to user security as attackers could craft malicious web pages or email content that triggers these conditions when processed by vulnerable browsers. The attack surface is broad since these vulnerabilities affect core JavaScript engine functionality that is exercised during normal web browsing and email operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers could leverage these flaws to establish persistent access through malicious scripts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software versions to the recommended secure releases. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Firefox 3.6.7 and Thunderbird 3.1.1 updates across all affected systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can identify and block malicious JavaScript patterns, enabling sandboxing features where available, and maintaining up-to-date security monitoring systems to detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches for browser software and highlights the need for robust memory safety mechanisms in interpreted languages. Security teams should monitor for any reported exploitation attempts and maintain incident response procedures for potential compromise detection.