CVE-2018-5151 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Memory safety bugs were reported in Firefox 59. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that with enough effort that some of these could be exploited to run arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 60.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5151 represents a critical memory safety issue affecting Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 60. This classification stems from multiple memory safety bugs discovered within the browser's codebase, which collectively pose significant security risks to users. The presence of memory corruption evidence indicates that these flaws could potentially be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts Firefox versions less than 60, making it crucial for organizations and individuals to assess their browser versions and implement timely updates. These memory safety issues typically arise from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory-related exploits.
The technical nature of these memory safety bugs demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern web browsers, which must manage vast amounts of dynamic memory while processing complex web content. When memory corruption occurs, it often results from inadequate bounds checking or improper memory management practices within the browser's rendering engine and JavaScript engine. The vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution places it squarely within the category of remote code execution exploits, which represent some of the most dangerous classes of security flaws in web browsers. These issues typically manifest when the browser processes malicious web content that triggers specific memory access patterns, causing the application to behave unpredictably and potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code. The presence of multiple bugs within the same vulnerability classification suggests either a systemic issue in memory management practices or a pattern of similar coding errors that require comprehensive remediation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5151 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover by adversaries. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The memory corruption aspects of these bugs make them particularly dangerous because they can be difficult to detect and predict, often requiring sophisticated exploitation techniques that may involve multiple stages of attack preparation. Organizations using affected Firefox versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious web content or where the browser serves as a primary attack vector. The vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or opening specially crafted emails containing malicious links, making it a particularly insidious threat in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5151 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to Firefox version 60 or later, which contain patches addressing the identified memory safety issues. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, deploying browser security extensions, and establishing user awareness programs to reduce exposure to malicious websites. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer," and CWE-121, which covers "Stack-based Buffer Overflow." From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK techniques involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within compromised networks. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify related attack campaigns targeting similar browser vulnerabilities.