CVE-2012-4183 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the DOMSVGTests::GetRequiredFeatures function in Mozilla Firefox before 16.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, Thunderbird before 16.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.13 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-2012-4183 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Document Object Model implementation of Mozilla Firefox and related products. This vulnerability specifically affects the DOMSVGTests::GetRequiredFeatures function, which handles SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) element processing within web browsers. The flaw exists in versions prior to Firefox 16.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, Thunderbird before 16.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.8, and SeaMonkey before 2.13, indicating a widespread impact across multiple Mozilla products. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a dangerous scenario for memory corruption attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious web content triggers the DOMSVGTests::GetRequiredFeatures function with crafted SVG elements that manipulate the browser's memory management. When the function processes these elements, it may access memory that has already been freed, leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The attack vector remains unspecified in the original description, suggesting that multiple methods could potentially trigger this condition, including malformed SVG attributes, improper element nesting, or specific combinations of SVG features that cause the browser to improperly manage memory references. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation and improper memory lifecycle management within the SVG processing code.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4183 extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential remote code execution capabilities. When heap memory corruption occurs, attackers can manipulate the browser's memory layout to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised browser process. This presents a significant threat to users who browse untrusted websites, as the vulnerability can be exploited through web pages without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. The vulnerability's presence in both regular browser releases and extended support releases indicates that organizations using older versions of these products remain at risk, particularly those that have not implemented proper patch management procedures. The attack surface is broad given that SVG processing is commonly used in web applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently encounter complex web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4183 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected software versions to ensure that users operate on patched builds of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies that prioritize security updates, particularly for widely used browser applications. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies that restrict SVG processing, using sandboxing technologies to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious SVG content patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving memory corruption exploits and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and browser security extensions that can detect and block known malicious SVG patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based memory corruption issue underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the implementation of memory safety practices in software development to prevent similar issues in future releases.