CVE-2017-7824 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow occurs when drawing and validating elements with the ANGLE graphics library, used for WebGL content. This is due to an incorrect value being passed within the library during checks and results in a potentially exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 56, Firefox ESR < 52.4, and Thunderbird < 52.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2025
The CVE-2017-7824 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the ANGLE graphics library that serves as the foundation for WebGL implementations in web browsers. This flaw specifically manifests during the drawing and validation processes of graphical elements, creating a scenario where memory corruption can occur through improper parameter handling. The vulnerability stems from an incorrect value being passed during internal validation checks within the ANGLE library, which ultimately leads to a crash condition that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The issue affects major browser implementations including Firefox versions prior to 56 and its Extended Support Release variant before 52.4, as well as Thunderbird versions below 52.4, highlighting the widespread impact across web rendering components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw operates at the intersection of graphics processing and memory management, where the ANGLE library's validation routines fail to properly sanitize input values before processing graphical commands. This creates an exploitable condition where an attacker could potentially craft malicious WebGL content that triggers the buffer overflow during rendering operations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases significantly because it occurs within the graphics processing pipeline, where memory corruption could lead to arbitrary code execution if proper exploit mitigations are not in place.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to web application security as it affects core browser functionality that is widely used for rendering complex graphics content. The impact extends beyond simple browser crashes to potentially enable remote code execution attacks, particularly when users encounter malicious web content that leverages WebGL capabilities. Attackers could exploit this through crafted web pages that utilize WebGL APIs to trigger the buffer overflow condition, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious advertising networks. The vulnerability's presence in both regular browser releases and extended support versions indicates that organizations maintaining older software configurations face ongoing security exposure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected browser versions to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for unpatched systems. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to patched versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird where the ANGLE library has been corrected to properly validate input parameters during graphics processing operations. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict WebGL usage where possible, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious graphical content patterns, and maintaining awareness of the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique related to exploitation of graphics rendering vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual crash patterns or memory access violations that could indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific buffer overflow condition.