CVE-2015-7180 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The ReadbackResultWriterD3D11::Run function in Mozilla Firefox before 41.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x before 38.3 misinterprets the return value of a function call, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7180 resides within the ReadbackResultWriterD3D11::Run function of Mozilla Firefox browser versions prior to 41.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x versions prior to 38.3. This flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that stems from improper handling of function return values within the Direct3D 11 graphics subsystem. The vulnerability specifically affects the graphics processing pipeline where Firefox interacts with DirectX components on Windows operating systems, creating a potential attack surface for remote adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic error handling flaw where the application fails to properly validate or interpret the return codes from underlying graphics API calls. When the ReadbackResultWriterD3D11::Run function executes, it processes results from Direct3D 11 operations but incorrectly processes the return values, leading to unpredictable memory states. This misinterpretation can cause heap corruption, stack corruption, or other memory management issues that manifest as application crashes or instability. The flaw operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7180 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the primary effect manifests as memory corruption and application crashes, the vulnerability's nature suggests it could be leveraged for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. Attackers could craft malicious web content that, when rendered by the vulnerable Firefox version, triggers the problematic code path and exploits the improper return value handling. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Firefox is widely deployed, making it an attractive target for nation-state actors or advanced persistent threat groups.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability's alignment with CWE-248, which covers "Uncaught Exception" and related issues in exception handling, as well as ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" since the vulnerability is typically triggered through web-based attacks. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of affected Firefox installations to version 41.0 or later for regular releases and 38.3 for ESR versions. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to mitigate potential exploitation attempts while awaiting patches. Additionally, browser hardening techniques including sandboxing and privilege separation should be enabled to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper error handling in graphics-intensive applications and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with complex multimedia rendering pipelines in web browsers.