CVE-2012-0473 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The WebGLBuffer::FindMaxUshortElement 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 calls the FindMaxElementInSubArray function with incorrect template arguments, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from video memory via a crafted WebGL.drawElements call.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0473 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This issue resides within the WebGL implementation where the WebGLBuffer::FindMaxUshortElement function incorrectly handles template arguments when invoking the FindMaxElementInSubArray function. The flaw specifically manifests when processing WebGL drawElements calls, creating a pathway for remote attackers to extract sensitive data from video memory through carefully crafted malicious web content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper template argument handling within the WebGL buffer management system. When the FindMaxUshortElement function processes WebGL buffer data, it passes incorrect template parameters to the FindMaxElementInSubArray helper function, leading to unexpected memory access patterns. This improper template instantiation allows the function to potentially read beyond the intended buffer boundaries, enabling attackers to access adjacent memory regions that may contain sensitive information from video memory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the graphics driver level where memory access controls are typically more relaxed than in traditional application memory spaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected systems as it enables remote code execution through information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing malicious WebGL content that triggers the vulnerable code path during WebGL drawElements operations. The attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing scenarios. The sensitive information that can be extracted includes video memory contents, which may contain encrypted data, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information processed by graphics hardware. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper handling of buffer boundaries, and represents a classic example of how graphics processing functions can introduce security risks when not properly validated.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Security researchers have noted that the flaw could serve as a stepping stone for privilege escalation attacks or as part of a broader exploitation chain targeting graphics drivers. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Mozilla products including Firefox versions 4.x through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, Thunderbird versions 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey before 2.9. Organizations using these affected versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. The flaw demonstrates the complexity of modern graphics APIs and the challenges in securing graphics processing components within web browsers, particularly when dealing with low-level memory operations that interface directly with hardware resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected software versions, implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious WebGL activity. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Mozilla products as soon as possible, particularly since the vulnerability affects extended support releases that may be in use within enterprise environments. Browser security teams have recommended disabling WebGL functionality in environments where the risk is deemed too high, though this significantly impacts web application compatibility. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper template parameter validation in C++ code and demonstrates the need for more rigorous security testing of graphics APIs within web browsers, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering through memory corruption vulnerabilities.