CVE-2013-0782 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the nsSaveAsCharset::DoCharsetConversion function in Mozilla Firefox before 19.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, Thunderbird before 17.0.3, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.16 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0782 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey. This flaw exists within the nsSaveAsCharset::DoCharsetConversion function, which handles character set conversion operations during web content processing. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking when handling memory allocations for character encoding conversions, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution when the overflow corrupts critical memory structures or function pointers. The vulnerability affects versions prior to Firefox 19.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, Thunderbird before 17.0.3, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey before 2.16, indicating a widespread impact across the Mozilla ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious web content triggers the charset conversion function with specially crafted input data. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the vulnerability can be leveraged to manipulate heap metadata or overwrite function pointers, potentially allowing attackers to redirect execution flow to malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The attack vector is typically remote, requiring only that a user visit a malicious webpage or receive crafted email content that triggers the vulnerable conversion function. The exploitation process often involves precise memory layout manipulation to achieve code execution, making this a sophisticated attack requiring careful crafting of input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0782 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, as attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for email clients like Thunderbird, where users may inadvertently open malicious email attachments or browse to compromised websites. The vulnerability's presence in both browser and email client applications creates multiple attack surfaces, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation in real-world scenarios. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, malware installation, and persistent access to their systems. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the privilege escalation and code execution domains, specifically targeting the execution of malicious payloads through memory corruption techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0782 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of the affected Mozilla products. System administrators should prioritize deployment of updates to Firefox 19.0, Thunderbird 17.0.3, and SeaMonkey 2.16, along with their respective ESR versions. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions to block malicious web content, deploying sandboxing mechanisms for email clients, and configuring network-level protections to restrict access to known malicious domains. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around memory allocation and process execution anomalies. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to automated exploitation, emphasizing the importance of rapid patch deployment and maintaining updated security configurations to prevent successful compromise of affected systems.