CVE-2013-0772 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The RasterImage::DrawFrameTo function in Mozilla Firefox before 19.0, Thunderbird before 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.16 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted GIF image.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0772 represents a critical memory safety issue within the image processing subsystem of Mozilla's flagship applications. This flaw exists in the RasterImage::DrawFrameTo function which handles the rendering of GIF images, a common file format that has been widely used across the internet for decades. The vulnerability affects multiple Mozilla products including Firefox versions prior to 19.0, Thunderbird versions prior to 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey versions prior to 2.16, indicating a widespread impact across the Mozilla ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of malformed GIF image data, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image files can trigger unintended memory access patterns.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the RasterImage::DrawFrameTo function processes specially crafted GIF images. This function is responsible for drawing individual frames of animated GIFs onto the display surface, but fails to properly validate the dimensions and memory references within the image data structure. When encountering malformed GIF data, the function attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in information disclosure or application instability. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through a remote attacker who crafts a malicious GIF file, which when opened by an affected browser or email client, triggers the exploitable code path. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0772 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable information disclosure attacks that could expose sensitive process memory contents. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data from the application's memory space, potentially including session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive information that might be stored in memory during the image processing operation. The out-of-bounds read can also cause application crashes and restarts, leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user activities. In the context of the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique related to command and scripting interpreter execution, as the exploitation can occur through web-based attack vectors that leverage browser functionality to execute malicious code. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious GIF files through various channels including email attachments, web pages, or file sharing platforms without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software versions to address the underlying bounds checking deficiencies in the image processing code. Users should upgrade to the patched versions of Firefox 19.0, Thunderbird 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey 2.16 or later, which include proper input validation and memory boundary checks. System administrators should implement network-based controls to block or scan GIF file attachments in email systems and web content filtering solutions to prevent delivery of potentially malicious images. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of injection flaws where improper input validation leads to memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted image processing functions and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious network traffic patterns associated with GIF file delivery. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities in the browser and email client applications.