CVE-2013-1704 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the nsINode::GetParentNode function in Mozilla Firefox before 23.0 and SeaMonkey before 2.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption and application crash) via vectors involving a DOM modification at the time of a SetBody mutation event.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The CVE-2013-1704 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Mozilla Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers that emerged from improper memory management within the DOM traversal mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the nsINode::GetParentNode function, which is responsible for maintaining parent-child relationships between DOM nodes during document manipulation operations. The flaw occurs when the browser processes SetBody mutation events while simultaneously modifying the Document Object Model structure, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated. This particular vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which catalogs use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to craft malicious web content that triggers a specific sequence of DOM modifications during mutation event processing. When Firefox or SeaMonkey encounters a SetBody mutation event while DOM nodes are being modified, the nsINode::GetParentNode function attempts to access memory that has already been freed, resulting in heap corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised browser process, or alternatively cause a denial of service through application crashes and memory corruption. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper handling of DOM node relationships during asynchronous event processing can create exploitable conditions that bypass traditional security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1704 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it represents a serious threat to user security and system integrity. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user systems, potentially leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or further exploitation through additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since it operates within core browser functionality that handles web page rendering and DOM manipulation. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in complex web browsers and highlights how seemingly routine DOM operations can become attack surfaces when memory safety mechanisms are insufficient. The vulnerability's exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as successful exploitation often requires the execution of malicious code within the browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1704 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates, as the vulnerability was addressed through memory management improvements in Firefox version 23.0 and SeaMonkey version 2.20. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates, particularly for browsers that handle sensitive information or are used in enterprise environments. Additional protective measures include browser hardening configurations, content security policies, and sandboxing mechanisms that can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments of browser components and proper memory safety testing during software development cycles.