CVE-2016-1935 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the BufferSubData function in Mozilla Firefox before 44.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x before 38.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted WebGL content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1935 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the WebGL implementation of Mozilla Firefox browsers. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox 44.0 and Firefox ESR 38.x prior to 38.6, creating a significant security risk for users operating these outdated browser versions. The vulnerability specifically resides in the BufferSubData function, which is part of the WebGL graphics API implementation that enables web applications to perform hardware-accelerated 3D graphics rendering directly within the browser environment.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the BufferSubData function, which is responsible for updating portions of WebGL buffer objects. When processing crafted WebGL content, the function fails to adequately validate input parameters, particularly regarding buffer size and offset values. This inadequate validation allows attackers to provide malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The vulnerability manifests through WebGL content that is typically embedded within web pages, making it accessible through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful means to compromise user systems. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious WebGL content through compromised websites or phishing campaigns, requiring no local access or user interaction beyond normal browsing. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for process injection through web-based attacks. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting malicious WebGL commands that trigger the buffer overflow, followed by leveraging the memory corruption to redirect execution flow and ultimately achieve remote code execution with the privileges of the browser process.
Organizations and users should immediately prioritize updating their Firefox installations to versions 44.0 or later, or Firefox ESR 38.6 and later, to mitigate this vulnerability. Security teams should also implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous WebGL content delivery patterns. Additional mitigations include enabling security features such as sandboxing, which can limit the damage if exploitation occurs, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious WebGL content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated, as WebGL implementations often require complex memory management that can introduce subtle but critical security flaws when not properly validated. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for unusual WebGL activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.