CVE-2013-1735 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the mozilla::layout::ScrollbarActivity function in Mozilla Firefox before 24.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.9, Thunderbird before 24.0, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.9, and SeaMonkey before 2.21 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to image-document scrolling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1735 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the mozilla::layout::ScrollbarActivity function of Mozilla Firefox and related applications. This flaw exists in versions prior to Firefox 24.0, Firefox ESR 17.x before 17.0.9, Thunderbird before 24.0, Thunderbird ESR 17.x before 17.0.9, and SeaMonkey before 2.21. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the handling of scrollbar activities within image document contexts, creating a scenario where freed memory locations can be accessed and potentially overwritten by malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts malicious web content that triggers image document scrolling operations. During these operations, the ScrollbarActivity function fails to properly manage memory references, leading to a situation where a memory block is freed but still referenced by subsequent code paths. This use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability specifically impacts the layout engine's handling of scrollbars in image documents, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing contexts where users may encounter malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1735 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious content through web pages, email attachments, or other network-based delivery mechanisms without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The attack surface includes not only the primary browsers but also the email clients and suite applications that share the same underlying Mozilla codebase, amplifying the potential impact across multiple application categories. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues can be exploited to achieve privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1735 primarily focus on immediate application updates and patches provided by Mozilla. Organizations should prioritize upgrading all affected versions to their patched releases, including Firefox 24.0, Firefox ESR 17.0.9, Thunderbird 24.0, Thunderbird ESR 17.0.9, and SeaMonkey 2.21. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser hardening techniques such as address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and heap metadata protection. Network-based defenses can incorporate web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block known malicious content patterns. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through compromised applications, and T1203, which encompasses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.