CVE-2012-0478 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The texImage2D implementation in the WebGL subsystem 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 does not properly restrict JSVAL_TO_OBJECT casts, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0478 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the WebGL implementation of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This flaw exists within the texImage2D function which is part of the WebGL subsystem responsible for handling texture data in web graphics applications. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of JavaScript object types during the casting process, specifically when converting JavaScript values to object references using the JSVAL_TO_OBJECT macro. This improper type handling creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page attempts to pass specially crafted parameters to the texImage2D function. The WebGL subsystem fails to properly validate that the input parameters represent valid JavaScript objects before attempting to cast them to object references. This type confusion allows attackers to manipulate the memory layout and overwrite critical data structures, potentially leading to code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's rendering pipeline, making it accessible through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects a broad range of Mozilla applications including Firefox versions 4.0 through 11.0, Firefox ESR 10.x versions prior to 10.0.4, Thunderbird versions 5.0 through 11.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x versions before 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey versions before 2.9. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious webpage, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The exploitability of this vulnerability is classified as high due to the combination of the remote attack surface and the potential for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-0478 primarily involve immediate patching of affected software versions to address the type validation flaw in the WebGL subsystem. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey installations to their respective patched versions, particularly focusing on Firefox ESR 10.0.4, Thunderbird ESR 10.0.4, and SeaMonkey 2.9 releases. Network security measures such as web filtering and content security policies can provide additional protection layers, though these are not foolproof given the nature of the vulnerability. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and CWE-787 out-of-bounds write, with potential ATT&CK techniques including T1059 command and scripting interpreter and T1203 exploit public-facing application, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including browser hardening, privilege separation, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation.