CVE-2012-3959 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the nsRangeUpdater::SelAdjDeleteNode function in Mozilla Firefox before 15.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, Thunderbird before 15.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, and SeaMonkey before 2.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The CVE-2012-3959 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Mozilla Firefox and related applications that affects versions prior to 15.0 and 10.0.7 respectively. This vulnerability resides in the nsRangeUpdater::SelAdjDeleteNode function, which is part of the browser's internal DOM manipulation and range handling mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the application processes certain DOM operations involving range selection and node deletion, creating conditions where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed or modified, leading to heap corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, specifically representing a use-after-free condition that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can manipulate the browser's document object model to trigger the problematic code path within the nsRangeUpdater::SelAdjDeleteNode function. The underlying issue stems from improper memory management where objects are deleted from memory but references to those objects remain in the application's memory space. When subsequent operations attempt to access these freed memory locations, the application experiences undefined behavior that can be leveraged by attackers to execute malicious code or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's ability to safely handle document modifications and range selections, particularly in scenarios involving complex DOM manipulations and user interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3959 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise user systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the browser context, potentially allowing them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey, creating a broad attack surface across various user bases. This widespread impact is particularly concerning given that these applications are commonly used for web browsing and email processing, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to compromise user systems through social engineering or drive-by download attacks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the compromised browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3959 primarily involve immediate patching of affected software versions to address the underlying memory management issues. Users should upgrade to Firefox 15.0, Firefox ESR 10.0.7, Thunderbird 15.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.0.7, and SeaMonkey 2.12 or later versions where the vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators can deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing browser security restrictions such as sandboxing and content filtering to limit potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and the necessity of thorough code review processes to identify and prevent use-after-free conditions in complex software applications.