CVE-2015-4474 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 40.0 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4474 represents a critical security flaw within the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 40.0. This issue encompasses multiple unspecified vulnerabilities that collectively create a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The affected browser engine components are responsible for processing web content and rendering web pages, making them prime targets for exploitation. These vulnerabilities manifest as memory corruption issues that can lead to application instability and potential code execution, posing serious risks to user security and system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption within Firefox's rendering engine, which is typically implemented using the Gecko engine architecture. When exploited, these flaws can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The unspecified nature of the individual vulnerability vectors suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the browser engine were compromised, including but not limited to memory management functions, input validation mechanisms, and rendering components. This complexity makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various attack vectors simultaneously.
From an operational impact perspective, the vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations and individual users alike. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within networks. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged for persistent attacks, where attackers maintain system instability to disrupt services or create cover for more sophisticated exploitation attempts. Organizations relying on Firefox for business operations face substantial risk exposure, particularly in environments where browser-based attacks are common.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4474 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates. Users and organizations should prioritize upgrading to Firefox version 40.0 or later, which contains patches addressing the identified memory corruption issues. Additionally, implementing network-level security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory" and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability map to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and maintaining comprehensive incident response plans to address potential exploitation attempts.