CVE-2012-4202 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the image::RasterImage::DrawFrameTo function in Mozilla Firefox before 17.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.11, Thunderbird before 17.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.11, and SeaMonkey before 2.14 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted GIF image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4202 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple Mozilla applications including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This flaw exists within the image::RasterImage::DrawFrameTo function which processes GIF image data during rendering operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management when handling specially crafted GIF files that contain malformed frame data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering a malicious GIF image that triggers the overflow during image processing, potentially allowing remote code execution on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of image frame dimensions and memory allocation within the GIF decoding pipeline. When the raster image processing function encounters a crafted GIF with malformed frame parameters, it fails to properly validate the input data before attempting to allocate heap memory for frame rendering. This leads to a buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data overwrites adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a common attack vector that enables arbitrary code execution through memory corruption techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to users of affected Mozilla applications since GIF images are widely used across the internet and can be delivered through various attack vectors including web pages, email attachments, and file sharing platforms. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond viewing the malicious image, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The affected versions span multiple product lines including the main Firefox browser, its extended support release versions, Thunderbird email client, and SeaMonkey suite, indicating a broad impact across the Mozilla ecosystem.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey to mitigate this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious GIF files. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of viewing untrusted images and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through client-side exploitation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include validation of image processing functions to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other software components.