CVE-2012-0470 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the nsSVGFEDiffuseLightingElement::LightPixel function in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, Thunderbird 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid gfxImageSurface free operation) or possibly execute arbitrary code by leveraging the use of "different number systems."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-0470 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This flaw exists within the nsSVGFEDiffuseLightingElement::LightPixel function, which processes graphical effects in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) documents. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing SVG elements that utilize different number systems, creating conditions where memory corruption can occur during graphics rendering operations. The flaw falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented class of vulnerabilities that occurs when more data is written to a buffer allocated on the heap than the buffer can accommodate.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of SVG graphics processing within the affected browsers. When the LightPixel function processes graphical elements with inconsistent number systems, it fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can result in invalid gfxImageSurface free operations. This corruption occurs because the function does not adequately check bounds when allocating or accessing memory for graphical surface operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web content, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious SVG documents that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, will cause the buffer overflow to occur during normal browsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling arbitrary code execution on affected systems. When the heap corruption occurs during gfxImageSurface free operations, the memory management system can be compromised, leading to unpredictable behavior that attackers might exploit to execute malicious code. The vulnerability affects a wide range of versions including Firefox 4.x through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, Thunderbird 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.9, representing a significant attack surface across multiple Mozilla products. This widespread impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these applications for email and web browsing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0470 primarily involve immediate application of vendor security patches and updates. Mozilla released fixes for all affected versions, including Firefox 10.0.4, Thunderbird 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey 2.9, which address the buffer overflow through proper bounds checking and memory management. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as content filtering to block potentially malicious SVG content and disable SVG rendering where possible. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute code on vulnerable client systems through web-based attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management programs are essential to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The fix implemented by Mozilla involved strengthening input validation in the SVG processing pipeline and ensuring proper memory management during graphics operations, addressing the root cause of the heap-based buffer overflow condition.