CVE-2012-0447 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 9.0, Thunderbird 5.0 through 9.0, and SeaMonkey before 2.7 do not properly initialize data for image/vnd.microsoft.icon images, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information by reading a PNG image that was created through conversion from an ICO image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
This vulnerability exists in multiple Mozilla applications including Firefox versions 4.0 through 9.0, Thunderbird versions 5.0 through 9.0, and SeaMonkey versions before 2.7. The flaw stems from improper initialization of data structures when processing image/vnd.microsoft.icon format images, specifically affecting the conversion process from ICO to PNG format. When these applications encounter an ICO image that gets converted to PNG format, they fail to properly initialize memory regions that should contain image metadata, leading to information disclosure vulnerabilities. The issue is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain uninitialized during the conversion process. This vulnerability is classified as a memory initialization error that can lead to information exposure, aligning with CWE-456 which addresses uninitialized variables and CWE-248 which covers improper initialization of variables. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to deliver a specially crafted ICO image that gets converted to PNG format, making this a client-side vulnerability that can be exploited through web browsing or email attachments. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to extract potentially sensitive information from the memory of affected applications, which could include user data, session information, or other confidential details depending on the system context and memory layout. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper memory management where uninitialized data structures are accessed without proper initialization, creating potential information leakage pathways. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under T1552.001 which covers Unsecured Credentials and T1068 which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the information disclosure could potentially be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the image processing layer where applications handle untrusted input from external sources, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to system information. The risk is heightened in environments where these applications process images from untrusted sources, such as web browsing or email clients that automatically display image attachments. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory initialization practices in image processing libraries and highlights the potential for information disclosure through seemingly benign image conversion processes. The flaw demonstrates how image format handling can become a vector for information leakage when proper initialization protocols are not followed during format conversions. Organizations should consider implementing strict image validation and conversion policies, along with regular security updates to ensure that all affected applications are patched. The vulnerability also emphasizes the need for comprehensive memory safety testing during software development phases, particularly for applications that handle untrusted image data from external sources. Additionally, network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect potentially malicious image files that could exploit this vulnerability during conversion processes.