CVE-2016-1944 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
The Buffer11::NativeBuffer11::map function in ANGLE, as used in Mozilla Firefox before 44.0, might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1944 resides within the ANGLE graphics library implementation, specifically affecting the Buffer11::NativeBuffer11::map function. This flaw manifests in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 44.0, where the graphics subsystem fails to properly validate memory operations during buffer mapping procedures. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and memory boundary checks within the graphics processing pipeline, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, representing a critical weakness in the browser's handling of native graphics buffer operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory handling within the ANGLE library's buffer mapping mechanism, which is part of the DirectX 11 graphics subsystem used by Firefox. When the map function processes graphics buffer operations, it fails to validate the size parameters and memory boundaries of the buffer being mapped, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers and cause invalid memory access patterns. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific manifestation in this case involves heap memory corruption during native buffer operations. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious content that, when rendered by the browser, triggers memory corruption through improper buffer handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1944 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, potentially enabling more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system instability. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering specially crafted web content that triggers the problematic buffer mapping operation, leading to memory corruption that may result in browser crashes, application instability, or in more sophisticated attack scenarios, complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the target browser to render graphics content that activates the affected code path, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where users may encounter malicious content through various vectors including phishing attacks, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious code through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Firefox versions to 44.0 or later, which includes updated ANGLE library components with proper memory validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that enforce automatic updates and maintain current security patches for all browser installations. Additionally, network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection layers by monitoring for suspicious graphics-related content patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of graphics library security in modern browsers, as these components often operate with elevated privileges and handle sensitive memory operations. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring for abnormal memory access patterns and buffer operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics rendering components and proper input validation in all system libraries that handle memory operations.