CVE-2013-0753 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the serializeToStream implementation in the XMLSerializer component in Mozilla Firefox before 18.0, Firefox ESR 10.x before 10.0.12 and 17.x before 17.0.2, Thunderbird before 17.0.2, Thunderbird ESR 10.x before 10.0.12 and 17.x before 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey before 2.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted web content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0753 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the XMLSerializer component of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This security weakness resides in the serializeToStream implementation where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate freed memory locations, creating potential entry points for remote code execution. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey across various version ranges, making it particularly concerning for widespread exploitation. The flaw specifically manifests when processing crafted XML content that triggers the serialization process, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML data structures that traverse the XMLSerializer component's serializeToStream function. When the component processes malformed or specially crafted XML content, it fails to properly manage object references, resulting in memory being freed while still referenced elsewhere in the application's memory space. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory allocations can overwrite the freed memory, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised browser process. The use-after-free condition typically arises from inadequate reference counting or improper object lifecycle management within the XML parsing and serialization subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can bypass modern security mechanisms. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious XML content that, when rendered by the affected browsers, triggers the vulnerable code path and executes shellcode or malicious payloads. The vulnerability's remote nature means that successful exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management, and represents a classic example of how improper object lifetime management can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0753 primarily focus on immediate application updates and patch management across all affected Mozilla products. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched versions of Firefox 18.0, Thunderbird 17.0.2, and SeaMonkey 2.15, along with their respective ESR versions. Additionally, network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through web traffic analysis and implement proper incident response procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the critical nature of memory safety in browser components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, making it a significant threat vector for advanced persistent threats targeting web browsers.