CVE-2014-1556 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox before 31.0, Firefox ESR 24.x before 24.7, and Thunderbird before 24.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted WebGL content constructed with the Cesium JavaScript library.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1556 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple Mozilla products including Firefox versions prior to 31.0, Firefox ESR 24.x versions before 24.7, and Thunderbird versions before 24.7. This vulnerability specifically leverages WebGL content that has been crafted using the Cesium JavaScript library, creating a sophisticated attack vector that demonstrates the intersection of web graphics capabilities and exploitation techniques. The flaw resides in how these applications handle WebGL content, particularly when processing JavaScript libraries that interface with graphics rendering APIs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of WebGL contexts through the Cesium JavaScript library, which provides advanced 3D geospatial visualization capabilities. Attackers can construct malicious WebGL content that exploits memory corruption issues within the graphics rendering pipeline of these applications. The flaw occurs when the browser processes WebGL commands that interact with the Cesium library's implementation, potentially leading to buffer overflows or other memory management errors that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This represents a complex exploitation scenario that combines web graphics rendering with low-level memory corruption techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1556 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction or specific privileges. The vulnerability affects widely used email and web browsing applications, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are prevalent. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malware. The attack vector through WebGL content makes it especially challenging to detect and prevent, as legitimate web applications frequently use WebGL for enhanced user experiences, making malicious content harder to distinguish from benign traffic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected applications to the latest secure versions, as Mozilla released updates addressing the specific memory corruption issues in their WebGL implementations. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious WebGL content. Security configurations should include disabling WebGL when not required for legitimate business operations, though this may impact functionality for applications that depend on 3D graphics rendering. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which covers memory corruption issues, and represents a technique consistent with ATT&CK tactic TA0002 (Execution) and technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript). Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in graphics APIs and highlights the risks associated with complex JavaScript libraries that interface with low-level system resources, making it a prime example of how modern web technologies can introduce unexpected security risks.