CVE-2011-0074 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.19 and 3.6.x before 3.6.17, Thunderbird before 3.1.10, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.14 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0072, CVE-2011-0075, CVE-2011-0077, and CVE-2011-0078.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2021
This vulnerability resides within the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird products, representing a critical memory corruption issue that could lead to either denial of service or arbitrary code execution. The affected versions include Firefox 3.5.x before 3.5.19 and 3.6.x before 3.6.17, Thunderbird before 3.1.10, and SeaMonkey before 2.0.14, indicating a widespread impact across Mozilla's suite of internet applications. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though it clearly involves memory handling flaws that could be exploited by remote attackers. This issue operates independently from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2011-0072, CVE-2011-0075, CVE-2011-0077, and CVE-2011-0078, making it a distinct threat vector within the same vulnerability family.
The technical flaw manifests through memory corruption that occurs during normal browser operation, potentially triggered by malformed web content or maliciously crafted web pages. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, creating a denial of service condition that disrupts user experience and potentially provides attackers with opportunities for further exploitation. The memory corruption aspect suggests improper handling of allocated memory regions, possibly involving buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other heap manipulation flaws that are commonly exploited in browser-based attacks. These types of vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within complex browser engines that must handle diverse and potentially malicious web content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on these affected Mozilla applications, particularly in enterprise environments where browser-based attacks are a primary concern. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain full control over affected systems, making this a critical security concern that extends beyond simple service disruption. Users may unknowingly trigger these vulnerabilities through routine web browsing activities, especially when visiting compromised websites or encountering malicious advertisements. The vulnerability's presence in multiple products within the Mozilla ecosystem amplifies its impact, as organizations must patch several applications rather than just a single browser product, complicating the remediation process.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt application updates to the patched versions, network segmentation to limit exposure, and enhanced monitoring for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, particularly those involving memory corruption exploits that leverage browser engine flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to reduce exposure to potentially malicious web content. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and the need for robust vulnerability management processes. This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex browser environments where the attack surface continues to expand with new features and capabilities, requiring continuous vigilance and proactive security measures to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques.