CVE-2013-5592 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 25.0 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5592 represents a critical security flaw within the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 25.0. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities, indicating that the exact nature of the security weaknesses was not fully detailed in the initial disclosure. The affected component resides in the core browser engine responsible for processing web content, making it a fundamental attack surface that could potentially compromise the entire browser application. Such vulnerabilities in browser engines are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical characteristics of this vulnerability manifest as memory corruption issues that can lead to application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. Memory corruption vulnerabilities typically occur when applications fail to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that can alter program execution flow. These types of flaws often arise from buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that can be systematically exploited by threat actors. The unspecified nature of the exact vectors suggests that multiple different code paths within the browser engine could be affected, increasing the attack surface and making detection and remediation more challenging for security professionals.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users of affected Firefox versions as it enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to take complete control of vulnerable systems. The potential for denial of service combined with arbitrary code execution means that attackers could not only disrupt browser functionality but also install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on Firefox, as users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or encountering compromised web content. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or encounter phishing attacks that exploit these vulnerabilities.
The remediation approach for CVE-2013-5592 requires immediate upgrading of Firefox installations to version 25.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the identified memory corruption issues. Security administrators should prioritize this update across all affected systems and implement proper change management processes to ensure comprehensive coverage. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, where initial compromise often occurs through web-based attack vectors. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely trigger alerts under various security standards including pci dss requirements for maintaining secure web browsers and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines for vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability through phishing campaigns targeting vulnerable users.