CVE-2015-0831 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the mozilla::dom::IndexedDB::IDBObjectStore::CreateIndex function in Mozilla Firefox before 36.0, Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.5, and Thunderbird before 31.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via crafted content that is improperly handled during IndexedDB index creation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0831 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the IndexedDB implementation of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird browsers. This security issue affects versions prior to Firefox 36.0 and Firefox ESR 31.x before 31.5, as well as Thunderbird versions before 31.5, making it a widespread concern across multiple Mozilla products. The flaw specifically resides in the mozilla::dom::IndexedDB::IDBObjectStore::CreateIndex function, which is responsible for creating indexes within the Indexed Database API that allows web applications to store and retrieve data locally within browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the IndexedDB index creation process. When malicious content attempts to create indexes within IndexedDB databases, the application fails to properly validate or handle the memory allocation and deallocation sequences. This improper handling results in a situation where freed memory locations are accessed after they have been released, creating a use-after-free condition that can be exploited by remote attackers. The flaw manifests as heap memory corruption, which provides attackers with the potential to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions on affected systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users of affected browser versions as it allows remote code execution through web-based attacks. Attackers can craft malicious web content that, when loaded in vulnerable browsers, triggers the flawed IndexedDB index creation logic. The exploitation potential extends beyond simple code execution to include complete system compromise, as the heap corruption can be leveraged to gain control over the browser process and potentially escalate privileges. The impact is particularly severe given that IndexedDB is a widely used web storage mechanism that many web applications rely upon for local data persistence.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations. This classification indicates that the flaw involves accessing memory after it has been freed, a common pattern in memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access and execution tactics, as attackers would need to deliver malicious content to victims and then execute code within the browser context. The attack surface is particularly broad since IndexedDB is frequently used by web applications, making the exploitation vector accessible through various legitimate web browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates to patched versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. Organizations should prioritize deployment of security patches released by Mozilla to address this flaw. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that limit access to IndexedDB functionality, using browser hardening techniques, and monitoring for suspicious web content that might attempt to trigger this vulnerability. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can also help detect and block exploitation attempts, though the most effective defense remains timely patch management and user education about avoiding untrusted web content.