CVE-2010-2767 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The navigator.plugins implementation in Mozilla Firefox before 3.5.12 and 3.6.x before 3.6.9, Thunderbird before 3.0.7 and 3.1.x before 3.1.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.7 does not properly handle destruction of the DOM plugin array, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via crafted access to the navigator object, related to a "dangling pointer vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory safety issue affecting multiple Mozilla-based applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. The flaw resides in the navigator.plugins implementation where the DOM plugin array is not properly handled during destruction phases. This improper memory management creates a dangling pointer condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through crafted access to the navigator object. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to Firefox 3.5.12 and 3.6.x 3.6.9, Thunderbird 3.0.7 and 3.1.x 3.1.3, and SeaMonkey 2.0.7. From a cybersecurity perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-416 which describes use after free vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious web content that triggers improper handling of the DOM plugin array during its destruction process. When the browser attempts to access the navigator.plugins object after the underlying plugin array has been freed but not properly cleaned up, the dangling pointer allows for memory access violations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to either crash the application through controlled memory access faults or potentially execute arbitrary code by manipulating the freed memory location. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a serious remote code execution threat. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper memory management in browser components can create persistent security risks that affect multiple products within the same ecosystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2767 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of these Mozilla applications face significant risk as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but enterprise environments where these browsers are commonly deployed, creating widespread potential for exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving memory corruption and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks or establish persistent access. The widespread adoption of Firefox and related products means that a single exploited vulnerability can affect thousands of systems across different organizations and industries. Security teams must prioritize patching these vulnerable versions as they represent a critical risk to organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Mozilla applications to their patched versions, with particular attention to Firefox 3.5.12 and 3.6.9, Thunderbird 3.0.7 and 3.1.3, and SeaMonkey 2.0.7. Additionally, implementing browser security measures such as sandboxing, content filtering, and restricted plugin execution can help reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious plugin-related activity and unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all systems remain protected against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may arise in the future. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security practices to protect against memory safety issues that can have severe operational consequences.