CVE-2015-0824 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The mozilla::layers::BufferTextureClient::AllocateForSurface function in Mozilla Firefox before 36.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write of zero values, and application crash) via vectors that trigger use of DrawTarget and the Cairo library for image drawing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0824 resides within the mozilla::layers::BufferTextureClient::AllocateForSurface function in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 36.0. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted vectors that manipulate the DrawTarget and Cairo library components used for image rendering operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes image data that triggers the allocation of texture buffers for surface operations, creating a scenario where memory boundaries are improperly handled during the image drawing process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the BufferTextureClient attempts to allocate memory for surface operations. When the DrawTarget component interacts with the Cairo graphics library, the system fails to properly validate the dimensions or parameters of the image data being processed. This validation failure results in the allocation of memory that extends beyond the intended buffer boundaries, leading to writes of zero values into adjacent memory locations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper memory management can lead to system instability and application crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to remotely destabilize Firefox installations across various operating systems including windows, macOS, and linux platforms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages common web browsing activities such as viewing images or web pages that utilize advanced graphics rendering techniques. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, effectively denying users access to the browser functionality and potentially providing a vector for more sophisticated attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. The instability introduced by this flaw can also lead to information disclosure or privilege escalation depending on the execution environment and system configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0824 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates, with users strongly advised to upgrade to Firefox version 36.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple browsers may be in use. Additional protective measures include configuring web content filtering systems to restrict access to potentially malicious sites that might exploit this vulnerability, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing robust application hardening practices that include address space layout randomization and stack canaries. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews focused on graphics rendering components, as similar issues may exist within other libraries and frameworks that handle image processing operations. Organizations should also consider implementing browser sandboxing technologies and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities when they do occur, aligning with ATT&CK techniques that emphasize privilege escalation and defense evasion through memory corruption exploits.