CVE-2013-0789 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 20.0 and SeaMonkey before 2.17 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the nsContentUtils::HoldJSObjects function and the nsAutoPtr class, and other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0789 represents a critical security flaw affecting Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 20.0 and SeaMonkey versions prior to 2.17. This vulnerability resides within the browser engine's core components, specifically targeting memory management functions that are fundamental to the browser's operation. The issue stems from improper handling of JavaScript object references and memory allocation patterns that can be exploited through malicious web content to compromise system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple attack vectors centered on the nsContentUtils::HoldJSObjects function and the nsAutoPtr class. These components are responsible for managing JavaScript objects within the browser's rendering engine and handle automatic memory management for C++ objects. The flaw manifests when these functions process malformed or specially crafted input, leading to memory corruption that can result in unpredictable behavior. The nsContentUtils::HoldJSObjects function specifically manages the lifecycle of JavaScript objects that are held by C++ code, while nsAutoPtr provides automatic memory management for pointer objects. When these systems encounter unexpected input patterns, they fail to properly validate memory boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in vulnerable browsers, trigger memory corruption errors that may allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant escalation from basic denial of service, as it could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or take complete control of affected systems. The memory corruption issues can manifest as application crashes, browser instability, or more dangerous scenarios where attackers can manipulate memory layout to execute malicious code. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through phishing attacks, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, as the memory corruption issues stem from improper memory management practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for execution through web-based payloads and T1499.004 for denial of service operations. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these vulnerabilities affect core browser functionality that processes web content from untrusted sources. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious webpage is loaded. Additional mitigations include implementing content filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in restricted environments, and maintaining up-to-date security monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser engine development, as these components form the foundation of web security for millions of users worldwide.