CVE-2013-1679 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the mozilla::plugins::child::_geturlnotify function in Mozilla Firefox before 21.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.6, Thunderbird before 17.0.6, and Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1679 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Mozilla's plugin handling architecture that affects multiple browser products including Firefox and Thunderbird. This flaw exists in the mozilla::plugins::child::_geturlnotify function which manages plugin communication in the browser's child process model. The issue stems from improper memory management where freed memory locations are still being accessed or referenced, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to Firefox 21.0 and Firefox ESR 17.x versions before 17.0.6, along with corresponding Thunderbird releases, making it a widespread concern across the Mozilla ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs within the plugin communication subsystem where the _geturlnotify function handles URL notification requests from plugins. When a plugin makes a request that triggers this function, the system allocates memory for processing the notification but fails to properly manage the lifecycle of that memory allocation. Specifically, the function may free memory resources while maintaining references to them, or fail to properly invalidate pointers after deallocation. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate the plugin interface to cause the freed memory to be reallocated and subsequently accessed with malicious data, leading to heap corruption that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential remote code execution capabilities that align with attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under process injection and memory corruption techniques. The heap memory corruption resulting from this use-after-free condition can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory structures, manipulate program flow, or inject malicious code into the browser process. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the plugin subsystem which often has elevated privileges and access to system resources, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for user security and system integrity.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected browser versions to the patched releases that contain proper memory management fixes. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Firefox 21.0 and Thunderbird 17.0.6 updates, along with their corresponding ESR versions, to address the root cause. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict plugin management policies that disable unnecessary plugins, utilizing sandboxing mechanisms that limit plugin capabilities, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management in complex software systems can create persistent security risks that require comprehensive remediation strategies.
This vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures where plugin systems introduce additional attack surfaces beyond core browser functionality. The issue highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in multi-process browser architectures and underscores the need for comprehensive testing of plugin interfaces. The exploitation potential of this vulnerability makes it a significant concern for enterprise security teams, as it can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats or targeted attacks against specific user populations. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all affected systems are updated promptly to prevent potential exploitation attempts that could lead to complete system compromise.