CVE-2016-5274 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the nsFrameManager::CaptureFrameState function in Mozilla Firefox before 49.0 and Firefox ESR 45.x before 45.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging improper interaction between restyling and the Web Animations model implementation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5274 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Mozilla Firefox's frame management subsystem, specifically affecting the nsFrameManager::CaptureFrameState function. This vulnerability exists in Firefox versions prior to 49.0 and Firefox ESR 45.x versions prior to 45.4, creating a significant security risk for users operating these affected browser versions. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory management during the interaction between restyling operations and the Web Animations model implementation, which creates conditions where freed memory can be accessed and potentially exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as memory safety issues where program memory is accessed after it has been freed. The flaw occurs during the browser's rendering process when the nsFrameManager attempts to capture frame state information while simultaneously processing restyling operations and Web Animations. This interaction creates a race condition where frame objects may be freed while still referenced by animation handlers or restyling processes, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be weaponized through malicious web content. Attackers can craft web pages that trigger the specific sequence of restyling and animation operations that lead to the use-after-free condition, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running browser process. This presents a severe threat to user security, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Command and Control" activities. The attack chain typically involves delivering malicious web content through phishing campaigns or compromised websites, where the crafted content triggers the specific browser conditions that lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability particularly affects the browser's ability to maintain memory integrity during complex rendering operations, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to user systems.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Firefox 49.0 or later versions, or Firefox ESR 45.4 and later releases, to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, employing content filtering solutions, and maintaining strict browser security policies that limit exposure to untrusted web content. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure comprehensive testing of browser updates in controlled environments before widespread deployment. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current browser security patches and the potential consequences of operating outdated software versions in enterprise environments.