CVE-2015-2717 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in libstagefright in Mozilla Firefox before 38.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and out-of-bounds read) via an MP4 video file containing invalid metadata.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2717 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Mozilla Firefox's libstagefright component, affecting versions prior to 38.0. This issue resides in the media processing subsystem that handles MP4 video file parsing and decoding operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters MP4 files containing malformed or invalid metadata structures that trigger improper integer arithmetic during buffer allocation and memory management processes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious MP4 files with specially designed metadata fields that cause integer overflows during video processing, resulting in heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the stagefright media framework's handling of MP4 file structures where metadata values are parsed without adequate bounds checking. When the application processes MP4 files with invalid or excessively large metadata values, the integer overflow occurs during calculations used to determine buffer sizes for memory allocation. This overflow can result in either heap-based buffer overflows where malicious data overwrites adjacent memory regions or out-of-bounds read conditions that may expose sensitive memory contents. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code, and T1059, where attackers leverage system processes to achieve their objectives. The flaw affects the application's media processing pipeline and can be triggered through various attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, or file downloads from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2717 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and individual users. The vulnerability's exploitation potential means that attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Firefox process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running affected Firefox versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The heap-based buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially inject malicious code, while the out-of-bounds read component may expose sensitive information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of users who rely on Firefox for web browsing and multimedia content consumption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2717 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Firefox 38.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow conditions in libstagefright. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can block or quarantine suspicious MP4 files, enabling sandboxing features within Firefox to limit potential damage from exploitation attempts, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous media file processing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow makes traditional memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization less effective, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and bounds checking in media processing components. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of downloading and opening multimedia files from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors beyond simple web browsing scenarios.