CVE-2013-0752 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 18.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, Thunderbird before 17.0.2, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 2.15 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted XBL file with multiple bindings that have SVG content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0752 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of XBL (XML Binding Language) files that contain multiple bindings with SVG content, creating a condition where remote attackers can exploit memory corruption to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. The flaw specifically impacts versions prior to Firefox 18.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, Thunderbird before 17.0.2, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 2.15, making it a widespread issue across the Mozilla ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's processing of XBL files that contain multiple bindings with SVG content. When the browser encounters such malformed XBL files, the memory management system fails to properly validate or handle the complex binding structures, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. This memory corruption occurs during the parsing and rendering process of SVG content within XBL bindings, creating exploitable conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected browser process. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, as the memory corruption manifests through improper memory allocation and handling of complex XML structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0752 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include full remote code execution capabilities that can compromise user systems. Attackers can craft malicious XBL files that, when loaded by an affected browser, trigger the memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks, requiring no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious email attachment. The attack surface is broad as it affects multiple Mozilla products and versions, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on these browsers for web browsing and email operations. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0752 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Mozilla products to their latest secure versions, with particular attention to Firefox 18.0, Thunderbird 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey 2.15. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent delivery of malicious XBL files to affected systems. Browser hardening measures including disabling XBL processing or implementing strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious XBL file patterns and anomalous browser behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute commands through the compromised browser process, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, since the browser typically runs with user privileges that can be leveraged for further system compromise.