CVE-2013-0790 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 20.0 on Android allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (stack memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors involving a plug-in.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0790 represents a critical security flaw within the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 20.0 on Android platforms. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability, indicating that the exact technical mechanisms remain undisclosed in the initial reporting. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser engine's handling of plugin interactions, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The affected environment is particularly concerning given the widespread use of Firefox on Android devices and the inherent risks associated with browser-based attacks targeting mobile platforms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through stack memory corruption within the browser engine's plugin processing mechanisms. When Firefox encounters certain plugin content, the processing routines fail to properly validate or handle memory allocation, leading to corruption of stack memory structures. This memory corruption directly results in application crashes and can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the memory corruption characteristics suggest potential for more severe exploitation scenarios. The stack memory corruption aspect aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows that can lead to similar memory corruption outcomes.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0790 is significant for Android users of affected Firefox versions, as remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website containing compromised plugin content. The potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may be less security-aware and where the attack surface includes potentially sensitive personal and corporate data. The denial of service aspect alone could be used for harassment campaigns or to disrupt user productivity, while the arbitrary code execution capability transforms this into a full compromise vector. Mobile platforms present unique challenges for exploitation due to their resource constraints and security model differences compared to desktop environments, making such vulnerabilities particularly concerning for mobile browser security.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, which addresses Command and Scripting Interpreter. The attack vector specifically targets the browser plugin subsystem, which represents a common attack surface in web browsers where third-party components can introduce security weaknesses. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when assessing mobile browser security postures, particularly in enterprise environments where Firefox on Android may be deployed. The vulnerability's classification as a stack memory corruption issue suggests that traditional exploit mitigation techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization may not fully protect against exploitation, as attackers could potentially bypass these protections through sophisticated techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0790 primarily focus on immediate software updates to Firefox version 20.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the underlying plugin handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Firefox installations on Android devices are updated promptly. Network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though these measures may not prevent exploitation of this specific vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual plugin activity and browser crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping mobile browser software updated, as mobile environments often have limited security controls compared to desktop systems and are therefore more susceptible to such browser-based attacks. Regular security assessments of mobile browser configurations and plugin management practices should be conducted to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.