CVE-2011-2989 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The browser engine in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 5, SeaMonkey 2.x before 2.3, Thunderbird before 6, and possibly other products does not properly implement WebGL, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2989 represents a critical security flaw in the WebGL implementation across multiple Mozilla products including Firefox versions 4.x through 5, SeaMonkey 2.x versions before 2.3, and Thunderbird versions before 6. This issue stems from improper handling of WebGL graphics rendering capabilities within these browsers, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics processing and browser security, where the WebGL API's implementation contains memory corruption flaws that can be triggered through malicious web content.
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 3D and 2D graphics within web browsers without requiring additional plugins, leveraging the OpenGL ES standard. The flaw in these affected versions occurs during the processing of WebGL commands, where insufficient bounds checking and memory management mechanisms allow attackers to manipulate graphics rendering operations in ways that can corrupt memory structures. This memory corruption typically manifests as application crashes or, in more severe cases, allows for arbitrary code execution within the browser process context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a low level within the browser engine where graphics processing occurs, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise. When attackers successfully exploit the memory corruption through WebGL, they can manipulate the browser's memory space to execute malicious code with the privileges of the running browser process. This creates a significant risk for users who browse the internet regularly, as the attack can be initiated through standard web page content without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also enterprise environments where browser-based attacks are common attack vectors for initial compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which describes "Improper Access to Memory Location" and specifically addresses memory corruption issues that occur when programs fail to properly manage memory access. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as attackers can leverage the WebGL implementation to execute arbitrary code on target systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires sophisticated knowledge of graphics memory management and browser internals, making it a target for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploit development. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, as the vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it particularly attractive to cybercriminals and nation-state actors seeking to establish persistent access to target systems through browser-based attack vectors.