CVE-2015-7189 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the JPEGEncoder function in Mozilla Firefox before 42.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x before 38.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow) via vectors involving a CANVAS element and crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7189 represents a critical race condition flaw within the JPEGEncoder function of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 42.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x versions before 38.4. This vulnerability resides in the browser's handling of canvas elements and JavaScript code execution, creating a pathway for remote attackers to potentially gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability. The flaw specifically manifests when processing CANVAS elements through crafted JavaScript code that exploits timing dependencies in the encoding process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the JPEG encoding pipeline. When a web page attempts to encode canvas content to JPEG format, the system creates a race condition where multiple threads or processes access shared memory resources without adequate locking mechanisms. This race condition occurs during the heap-based buffer allocation and manipulation phases of JPEG encoding, where attacker-controlled JavaScript code can manipulate the timing and sequence of operations to trigger memory corruption. The flaw is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software systems where concurrent access to shared resources leads to unpredictable behavior and potential security breaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the Firefox process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The heap-based buffer overflow aspect means that malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious payloads. This vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also enterprise environments where Firefox serves as a primary browser, creating widespread potential for exploitation across multiple attack vectors.
The exploitation of CVE-2015-7189 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and code injection techniques. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, potentially combining it with other browser exploits to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. The vulnerability's presence in both regular Firefox releases and ESR versions demonstrates the widespread nature of the flaw, affecting organizations that rely on long-term support browser versions for stability and security. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a direct path to execute arbitrary code without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The remediation approach involves updating to Firefox versions 42.0 or later for regular releases and Firefox ESR 38.4 or later for extended support releases, ensuring that the race condition has been properly addressed through improved thread synchronization and memory management protocols.