CVE-2012-3105 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The glBufferData function in the WebGL implementation in Mozilla Firefox 4.x through 12.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.5, Thunderbird 5.0 through 12.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.5, and SeaMonkey before 2.10 does not properly mitigate an unspecified flaw in an NVIDIA driver, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, a related issue to CVE-2011-3101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3105 represents a critical flaw in the WebGL implementation within Mozilla Firefox and related applications, affecting versions from 4.x through 12.0 and their corresponding ESR releases. This issue stems from improper handling of memory operations within the graphics driver interface, specifically when the glBufferData function processes graphics data. The vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs during WebGL operations, creating potential pathways for remote attackers to exploit the system through unspecified NVIDIA driver flaws. The flaw operates at the intersection of browser graphics rendering capabilities and low-level graphics driver operations, creating a complex attack surface that requires understanding of both WebGL specifications and graphics driver behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the glBufferData function which serves as a critical component in WebGL's graphics memory management system. When Firefox processes WebGL commands, it interacts with the underlying graphics driver through OpenGL calls, and the improper handling of buffer data during these operations creates memory corruption conditions. The flaw specifically affects NVIDIA graphics drivers where certain memory management operations fail to properly validate or sanitize input parameters. This creates a scenario where malicious web content can trigger buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption that leads to application crashes or potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The attack vector leverages the graphics processing capabilities of modern browsers, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3105 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a significant threat to user security and system integrity. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause applications to crash unpredictably, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. More concerning is the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which would allow attackers to gain control over affected systems and execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a high-severity threat within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution through browser-based attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey, creating widespread exposure across different application domains and increasing the potential attack surface for threat actors. The timing of the vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning as it occurs during normal graphics processing operations, making detection and prevention challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3105 focus on immediate software updates and security configuration changes to prevent exploitation. Users should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey, as these releases contain fixes that address the underlying NVIDIA driver interaction issues. The vulnerability's nature suggests that disabling WebGL functionality or implementing strict content filtering policies may provide temporary protection, though this approach reduces browser functionality and user experience. Security administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement web application firewalls to detect malicious WebGL content. The fix typically involves updating the graphics driver software to versions that properly handle memory operations in the glBufferData function, as well as ensuring that the browser's WebGL implementation properly validates and sanitizes graphics data before passing it to the driver layer. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms that isolate graphics processing operations to prevent potential privilege escalation attacks from successful exploitation attempts.