CVE-2017-7790 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
On Windows systems, if non-null-terminated strings are copied into the crash reporter for some specific registry keys, stack memory data can be copied until a null is found. This can potentially contain private data from the local system. Note: This attack only affects Windows operating systems. Other operating systems are not affected. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 55.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7790 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting Windows systems that operate with specific registry configurations. This flaw manifests when Firefox processes certain non-null-terminated strings during crash reporting operations, creating a scenario where the application's memory handling becomes exploitable. The vulnerability specifically targets the crash reporter functionality within Firefox, which is designed to collect diagnostic information when the browser encounters unexpected errors or crashes. When processing registry keys that contain non-null-terminated strings, the application's string handling mechanism fails to properly terminate the data copy operation, leading to unintended memory access patterns that can expose sensitive system information.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition where the application reads memory beyond intended boundaries until it encounters a null byte. This particular flaw falls under the category of CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and string processing, where the crash reporter component fails to properly validate or terminate string data before copying it into memory buffers. This behavior creates a potential information disclosure scenario where private data from the local system's memory space could be inadvertently exposed through the crash reporting mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive memory contents that could include user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data residing in the application's memory space. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning within the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1005, which covers data from local system storage, and T1059, which encompasses command and scripting interpreter usage. The vulnerability affects systems running Firefox versions prior to 55, making it particularly relevant for organizations that have not updated their browser installations. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the local system, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques that might be available within the same environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7790 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 55 or later, which contain patches addressing the memory handling issues within the crash reporting functionality. System administrators should also implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all vulnerable applications are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual crash reporting activity and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary crash reporting features when possible and regularly auditing registry configurations that might contribute to the vulnerability's exploitation. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments to identify other potential memory corruption vulnerabilities that might exist in similar applications or system components, ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting against both current and emerging threats within the threat landscape.