CVE-2015-4510 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the WorkerPrivate::NotifyFeatures function in Mozilla Firefox before 41.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (use-after-free and application crash) by leveraging improper interaction between shared workers and the IndexedDB implementation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4510 represents a critical race condition within Mozilla Firefox's WorkerPrivate::NotifyFeatures function that exists in versions prior to 41.0. This flaw occurs at the intersection of shared worker functionality and IndexedDB implementation, creating a dangerous scenario where concurrent operations can lead to memory corruption. The race condition manifests when multiple threads attempt to access and modify shared worker resources while IndexedDB operations are in progress, resulting in improper synchronization mechanisms that leave memory in an inconsistent state.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition that can be triggered through malicious web content leveraging shared workers and IndexedDB APIs simultaneously. When a shared worker attempts to notify features while an IndexedDB operation is in progress, the memory allocated to the worker object may be freed before all references are properly handled. This creates an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate the freed memory location, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The flaw falls under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software design, and demonstrates how improper thread synchronization can create exploitable memory management vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Firefox users since it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack surface is broad as it affects any web content that utilizes shared workers in conjunction with IndexedDB operations, which are commonly used features in modern web applications. The potential for both remote code execution and denial of service makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as attackers can either gain control of the victim's system or simply disrupt normal browser functionality.
The exploitation of CVE-2015-4510 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through web services, as attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger the race condition when users browse to them. The vulnerability also relates to T1190 for exploitation of remote services through web applications, since it affects the browser's handling of web content. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to Firefox version 41.0 or later, which includes proper synchronization mechanisms and memory management fixes. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and browser security policies can provide additional defense in depth, though the most effective mitigation remains timely patch deployment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in multi-threaded environments and highlights how seemingly routine browser features can become attack vectors when synchronization mechanisms are inadequate.