CVE-2012-3972 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The format-number functionality in the XSLT implementation 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 obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors that trigger a heap-based buffer over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3972 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the XSLT implementation of several Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This security weakness specifically affects the format-number functionality which is part of the Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations processing capabilities. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to Firefox 15.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, Thunderbird 15.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.7, and SeaMonkey 2.12, making it a widespread issue across multiple browser and email client platforms. The flaw allows remote attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from the application's memory through unspecified vectors that exploit the improper handling of buffer boundaries during XSLT processing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe exploitation vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the XSLT format-number function's memory management. When processing certain XSLT transformations, particularly those involving numerical formatting operations, the application fails to properly validate input parameters against allocated memory buffers. This oversight creates a condition where maliciously crafted XSLT code can cause the application to read beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions, potentially accessing and exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory locations. The heap-based nature of the over-read indicates that the vulnerability occurs within dynamically allocated memory segments, making it particularly challenging to predict and prevent. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: Uninitialized Read, which is a common pattern in buffer over-read scenarios where applications access memory beyond its allocated boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3972 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could contain sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, personal information, or other confidential application state data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about the target system, or potentially use the leaked information to facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted email message. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can potentially use the leaked information to craft more targeted attacks against the victim environment. The widespread affected versions indicate that a large number of users would have been exposed to this risk, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on these applications for email or web browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3972 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and application updates to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey to their latest secure versions. System administrators should implement automated update mechanisms where possible to ensure rapid deployment of security patches across enterprise environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and email security appliances that can detect and block malicious XSLT content. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of memory access or data exfiltration attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted XSLT transformations and maintain detailed logging of XSLT processing activities for forensic analysis purposes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory management in security-critical applications, particularly those handling user-provided data in complex transformation processes.