CVE-2013-0754 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the ListenerManager implementation 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 vectors involving the triggering of garbage collection after memory allocation for listener objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2021
The CVE-2013-0754 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Mozilla Firefox and related applications that fundamentally compromises memory safety during listener object management. This vulnerability resides within the ListenerManager implementation, a core component responsible for handling event listeners and callback mechanisms within the browser's architecture. The flaw manifests when the application performs garbage collection operations on listener objects that have already been freed from memory, creating a scenario where malicious code can exploit the dangling pointer to execute arbitrary instructions. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey across various version ranges, with the most significant impact occurring in versions prior to the specified security patches. The issue stems from improper memory management practices where the application fails to properly track listener object lifecycle and maintain valid references during garbage collection cycles. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of memory corruption flaws that are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to achieve complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability requires sophisticated attack techniques that leverage the specific timing and memory layout conditions present during garbage collection processes. Attackers can craft malicious web content that triggers the allocation and subsequent freeing of listener objects in a manner that creates predictable memory states. When garbage collection occurs at the precisely wrong moment, the freed memory can be reallocated to contain attacker-controlled data, allowing the use-after-free condition to be exploited for code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low level within the browser's memory management system, making detection and prevention challenging. The flaw is classified under CWE-416 as a Use After Free condition, which represents one of the most dangerous categories of memory safety vulnerabilities in software applications. This classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation typically enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system through the browser's memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0754 extends far beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve persistent system access through various attack vectors including drive-by downloads, malicious websites, and social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple Mozilla products simultaneously, increasing the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional security measures. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or opening specially crafted email attachments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted content. Organizations running affected versions of these applications face significant risk of data breaches, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability's impact is further compounded by the fact that many users may not be immediately aware of the security risks or may delay applying critical updates, creating extended windows of vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0754 require immediate application of vendor security patches and updates to the affected Mozilla products. Organizations should prioritize updating Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey to versions that contain the necessary fixes for the ListenerManager implementation. The security patches typically address the memory management issues by implementing proper reference counting, adding validation checks, and ensuring that listener objects are not prematurely freed during garbage collection cycles. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser hardening techniques, enabling sandboxing features, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious content. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromises. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for applications handling untrusted input and operating in potentially hostile environments. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory safety issues that may exist in their software environments.