CVE-2024-0752 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
A use-after-free crash could have occurred on macOS if a Firefox update were being applied on a very busy system. This could have resulted in an exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 122.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition that emerged during the Firefox update process on macOS systems. The flaw occurs when the browser attempts to apply updates while the system is under heavy load, creating a race condition scenario where memory previously freed by the application is accessed again. Such conditions typically arise from improper memory management where the application fails to properly track object lifecycles during concurrent operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts Firefox versions prior to 122, indicating a regression or oversight in the memory management implementation that was introduced in earlier versions and persisted through the affected release cycle.
The technical execution of this vulnerability leverages the timing sensitivity of the update process combined with system resource contention to create a scenario where freed memory blocks become available for reuse before the application has completed all references to them. This creates an exploitable crash condition that could potentially be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code through controlled memory corruption. The use-after-free pattern aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, a common class of vulnerabilities that can lead to remote code execution when properly exploited. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases significantly when combined with system busy states, as the timing window for successful exploitation becomes more predictable due to the system's resource scheduling behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple crash conditions to potentially enable remote code execution attacks against unsuspecting users. When Firefox is updating on a busy system, the likelihood of memory corruption increases due to the concurrent nature of system processes competing for resources. This creates a dangerous intersection where legitimate browser functionality collides with malicious exploitation opportunities, particularly in environments where users may not immediately notice system instability or where automated updates occur during peak usage periods. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and could lead to complete system compromise if successfully exploited, making it a high-priority concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Firefox installations to version 122 or later where the memory management issues have been addressed. System administrators should implement proactive monitoring of update processes during peak system utilization periods to identify potential triggering conditions. The fix likely involves implementing proper memory lifecycle management during update operations, including synchronization mechanisms to prevent concurrent access to freed memory blocks. Organizations should consider deploying automated patch management solutions that can schedule updates during low-usage periods to minimize the risk of triggering race conditions. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be enabled to provide additional defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough testing during update processes under stress conditions and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through browser-based attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing in real-world operational scenarios.