CVE-2012-1952 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The nsTableFrame::InsertFrames function in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 13.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, Thunderbird 5.0 through 13.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, and SeaMonkey before 2.11 does not properly perform a cast of a frame variable during processing of mixed row-group and column-group frames, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1952 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the nsTableFrame::InsertFrames function within Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This flaw exists in versions ranging from Firefox 4.x through 13.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, Thunderbird 5.0 through 13.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.6, and SeaMonkey before 2.11. The vulnerability stems from improper casting of a frame variable during the processing of mixed row-group and column-group table frames, creating a condition where memory corruption can occur during table rendering operations. The issue specifically manifests when the browser encounters complex table structures that combine row and column groups, which are commonly found in web pages with sophisticated layout designs.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper casting or type conversion errors that lead to memory corruption. When the nsTableFrame::InsertFrames function processes mixed table groups, it fails to properly validate or cast frame variables, allowing an attacker to manipulate the casting process and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can occur during the insertion of frames within table structures, where the application attempts to manage complex relationships between row and column group elements. The vulnerability exploits the way the browser handles table layout calculations, particularly when dealing with nested or mixed table groupings that require sophisticated frame management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables remote code execution attacks. An attacker can craft a malicious website containing specially designed table structures that trigger the flawed code path in the nsTableFrame::InsertFrames function. When a victim's browser processes this crafted content, the improper frame casting causes memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant threat vector since it requires no user interaction beyond visiting the malicious website, and the exploitation can occur entirely within the browser's rendering engine without any additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects not only Firefox but also Thunderbird and SeaMonkey applications, expanding the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1952 primarily focus on immediate version updates and browser security hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Firefox 10.0.6, Thunderbird 10.0.6, and SeaMonkey 2.11, as these releases contain the necessary fixes to address the improper frame casting issue. Additionally, implementing content security policies and restricting access to untrusted websites can help reduce exposure to this vulnerability. Browser security enhancements such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and penetration testing for web applications, particularly those handling complex table structures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) categories, demonstrating how memory corruption flaws in rendering engines can be leveraged for remote code execution through web-based attacks.