CVE-2016-2807 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 46.0, Firefox ESR 38.x before 38.8, and Firefox ESR 45.x before 45.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2807 represents a critical class of security flaws affecting the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox across multiple versions. This issue impacts Firefox versions prior to 46.0, Firefox ESR 38.x versions before 38.8, and Firefox ESR 45.x versions before 45.1, indicating a widespread exposure that affected both regular and extended support release channels. The vulnerabilities reside within the core browser engine responsible for processing web content, making them particularly dangerous as they could be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
These unspecified vulnerabilities fall into the category of memory corruption issues that can lead to both denial of service conditions and potential arbitrary code execution capabilities. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability create instability within the browser's memory management system, causing unpredictable behavior that manifests as application crashes or complete browser failures. However, the more concerning aspect is the potential for arbitrary code execution, which would allow attackers to run malicious code on affected systems with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant escalation from simple denial of service to full system compromise, particularly when considering that modern browsers operate with extensive privileges to access user data and system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2807 extends beyond individual user experiences to encompass broader enterprise security concerns. Organizations relying on affected Firefox versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent access to systems. The nature of the flaw suggests it may be exploitable through various attack vectors including malicious websites, crafted web content, or even through compromised web services that serve content to Firefox users. This makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against since it can be triggered through normal browsing activities without user awareness or explicit interaction with malicious content.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation frameworks, particularly those related to memory corruption exploits. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with software vulnerabilities categorized under CWE-119, which deals with "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer." The potential for arbitrary code execution through memory corruption represents a classic exploitation path that attackers frequently target in browser engines. Organizations should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems as temporary mitigations while planning for the necessary software updates. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing comprehensive patch management procedures to protect against known exploits that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats.
The remediation approach for CVE-2016-2807 requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for Firefox deployments. Updating to versions 46.0 or later for regular releases, 38.8 or later for ESR 38.x releases, and 45.1 or later for ESR 45.x releases provides definitive protection against this vulnerability. However, organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as browser hardening configurations, sandboxing mechanisms, and user education programs to reduce the attack surface and minimize potential impact from related threats. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of timely security updates and the need for robust vulnerability management processes that can quickly identify and remediate such issues across enterprise environments.