CVE-2012-4190 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The FT2FontEntry::CreateFontEntry function in FreeType, as used in the Android build of Mozilla Firefox before 16.0.1 on CyanogenMod 10, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4190 resides within the FreeType font rendering library, specifically in the FT2FontEntry::CreateFontEntry function that is utilized by the Android build of Mozilla Firefox. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects systems running CyanogenMod 10 with Firefox versions prior to 16.0.1, creating potential pathways for both denial of service attacks and remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of font data structures during the font entry creation process, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted font files to trigger memory corruption within the application's memory space. The affected component operates at the intersection of font processing and graphics rendering, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit memory management weaknesses in mobile browser environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw manifests when the FT2FontEntry::CreateFontEntry function processes font data without adequate bounds checking or input sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate font parameters that ultimately result in memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where memory constraints and limited debugging capabilities make exploitation more likely to succeed. The attack vector typically involves delivering a specially crafted font file through web content, which when processed by the vulnerable Firefox implementation triggers the memory corruption. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code through font rendering processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4190 extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially enabling full system compromise when exploited successfully. Mobile users running affected versions of Firefox on CyanogenMod 10 devices face significant risk as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. The memory corruption effects can manifest as unpredictable application behavior, system instability, or complete application termination, while the potential for arbitrary code execution opens pathways for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation. Organizations and users must understand that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in how font data is processed and validated, making it particularly concerning for mobile security environments where users may encounter untrusted font content through various web-based delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the affected software stack indicates a systemic issue in the font processing pipeline that requires comprehensive remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4190 should prioritize immediate software updates to Firefox version 16.0.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues in FreeType font handling. System administrators and users should also implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious font content. Additional defensive measures include disabling automatic font downloading, implementing strict content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of mobile browser configurations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of font processing security in modern applications, particularly in mobile environments where resource constraints and complex rendering pipelines create additional attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and memory protection features that can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of their mobile security infrastructure.