CVE-2011-0061 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Mozilla Firefox 3.6.x before 3.6.14, Thunderbird before 3.1.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.12 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted JPEG image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0061 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox 3.6.x versions prior to 3.6.14, Thunderbird before 3.1.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.12. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed JPEG image data within the browser's image processing pipeline, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by remote attackers. The flaw resides in the JPEG decoder component that fails to properly validate image dimensions and data boundaries when parsing crafted malicious JPEG files, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries. When processing JPEG images, the affected software does not adequately validate the image headers and metadata, particularly the dimensions specified in the image file. Attackers can craft specially designed JPEG files containing malformed dimension values or excessive data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, stack corruption, or more dangerously, allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack vector that has been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0061 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass serious exploitation potential for remote code execution. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond viewing a malicious JPEG image, making it highly suitable for drive-by download attacks or social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects widely used email clients and web browsers, creating a broad attack surface that could impact millions of users. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution, and demonstrates how seemingly benign file formats can be weaponized for malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0061 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and application updates as the most effective solution. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Mozilla products to their latest secure versions, specifically Firefox 3.6.14, Thunderbird 3.1.8, and SeaMonkey 2.0.12, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing content filtering measures to block suspicious JPEG files, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious image content, and configuring application sandboxing to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation are recommended defensive measures. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of viewing untrusted image content and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in preventing memory corruption exploits, particularly in multimedia processing components that handle untrusted data from external sources.