CVE-2015-2706 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the AsyncPaintWaitEvent::AsyncPaintWaitEvent function in Mozilla Firefox before 37.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) via a crafted plugin that does not properly complete initialization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2706 represents a critical race condition flaw within Mozilla Firefox's asynchronous painting mechanism that existed prior to version 37.0.2. This issue manifests in the AsyncPaintWaitEvent::AsyncPaintWaitEvent function where improper synchronization allows for a use-after-free condition to occur. The vulnerability specifically arises when a malicious plugin fails to properly complete its initialization sequence, creating a temporal window where memory resources become invalid while still being referenced by the painting subsystem. The race condition occurs between the plugin initialization process and the asynchronous painting event handling, enabling attackers to manipulate the timing and execution flow to exploit this temporal inconsistency.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within Firefox's plugin architecture and its interaction with the graphics rendering pipeline. When a plugin does not complete initialization properly, the system enters a state where the plugin object may be destroyed while still being referenced by the AsyncPaintWaitEvent mechanism. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access memory that has already been freed, leading to potential code execution or system instability. The flaw operates at the intersection of concurrent programming practices and memory safety mechanisms, where the absence of proper locking or validation during the plugin lifecycle management creates exploitable conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Firefox users as it can be leveraged by remote attackers through malicious web content or plugins. The attack vector typically involves crafting a specially designed plugin that deliberately fails to complete initialization, thereby triggering the race condition. Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Firefox process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The denial of service aspect occurs when the use-after-free condition causes crashes or instability in the browser, disrupting normal user operations and potentially enabling further attacks through system instability. This vulnerability particularly affects users running older versions of Firefox where the race condition has not been patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2706 focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Firefox version 37.0.2 or later where the race condition has been addressed through proper synchronization mechanisms and enhanced memory management. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, content security policies, and plugin restrictions can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes race conditions in concurrent programming, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through compromised browser plugins. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual plugin behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions and ensure proper remediation measures are in place.