CVE-2018-5177 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability exists in XSLT during number formatting where a negative buffer size may be allocated in some instances, leading to a buffer overflow and crash if it occurs. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 60.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5177 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the XSLT processing capabilities of Mozilla Firefox browser versions prior to 60. This flaw manifests during the number formatting operations within XSLT transformations, where the application fails to properly validate input parameters that control buffer allocation sizes. The issue stems from a mathematical error in the buffer sizing calculation logic where negative values can be passed to memory allocation functions, creating a scenario where the system attempts to allocate an invalid buffer size that may result in memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Firefox processes XSLT documents containing crafted number formatting operations that trigger the problematic code path. The buffer overflow condition arises from improper validation of the size parameter used in memory allocation routines, specifically when dealing with negative values that should never be passed to allocation functions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 category of buffer overflow vulnerabilities, which are classified as critical security flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web content without requiring user interaction, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser crashes, as it creates a potential attack vector for remote code execution. When a malicious actor crafts an XSLT document with specific formatting parameters that result in negative buffer sizes, the browser's memory management system becomes compromised. This can lead to memory corruption that may be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects not only the browser's stability but also represents a significant threat to user data and system integrity, as it can be leveraged for persistent attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5177 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 60 or later, which includes patches that properly validate buffer size parameters during XSLT number formatting operations. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all affected Firefox installations are updated promptly. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSLT content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in preventing buffer overflow exploits, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based attacks and T1068 for exploit development. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions during mathematical operations and memory allocation processes.