CVE-2012-5835 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the WebGL subsystem 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 or cause a denial of service (invalid write operation) via crafted data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5835 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the WebGL graphics subsystem of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This flaw exists in versions prior to Firefox 17.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.11, Thunderbird 17.0, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.11, and SeaMonkey 2.14. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of data within the WebGL implementation which is responsible for rendering 3D graphics in web browsers through OpenGL ES 2.0 API. The integer overflow occurs when processing certain crafted data inputs that manipulate buffer sizes or array dimensions, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic operations within the WebGL subsystem. When the browser processes WebGL commands with maliciously crafted parameters, the integer overflow results in a situation where a calculated buffer size exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the integer type used in the implementation. This overflow causes subsequent memory allocation operations to fail or produce invalid memory addresses, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. The flaw operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise entire systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code into the browser process, potentially escalating privileges and gaining unauthorized access to system resources. The invalid write operation that results from the integer overflow can corrupt critical data structures or overwrite memory locations containing executable code, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit web browsers as initial access vectors for broader attacks, with potential implications for enterprise security and user privacy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5835 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Mozilla. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey to eliminate the vulnerability. Security administrators should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based exploitation. Additional defensive measures include enabling sandboxing features, restricting WebGL capabilities in enterprise environments, and implementing monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure comprehensive protection against similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in graphics rendering subsystems.