CVE-2017-5412 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow read during SVG filter color value operations, resulting in data exposure. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 52 and Thunderbird < 52.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5412 represents a critical buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of SVG filter color value operations within Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird applications. This flaw exists in the way these browsers handle Scalable Vector Graphics files when they contain specific filter color value parameters that trigger memory read operations beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to Firefox 52 and Thunderbird 52, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple browser and email client implementations that were prevalent during the affected timeframe.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during SVG filter processing, where the application fails to properly validate the size and content of color value parameters within filter operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious SVG file containing oversized or malformed color value data, the application's parsing routine attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory locations. This type of buffer overflow represents a classic security flaw that can be exploited to extract confidential data, including but not limited to user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive application data that may reside in memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5412 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability operates through a read buffer overflow condition which, while not directly enabling code execution, can lead to information disclosure that may facilitate further attacks. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1566 for spearphishing with attachments, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability through malicious SVG files delivered via email or web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5412 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Mozilla to address the buffer overflow condition in SVG processing. Organizations should prioritize updating Firefox and Thunderbird installations to versions 52 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved through improved bounds checking and memory management routines. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict content filtering for SVG files, particularly in email systems and web applications that process user-generated content, as well as deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious SVG file patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious SVG content and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.