CVE-2024-6602 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
A mismatch between allocator and deallocator could have lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 128 and Firefox ESR < 115.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6602 represents a critical memory safety issue that emerged within the Firefox browser ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to Firefox 128 and Firefox ESR 115.13. This flaw stems from a fundamental mismatch between memory allocation and deallocation mechanisms, creating a scenario where improper memory management could lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level within the browser's memory management system, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures and compromise system integrity.
This memory corruption vulnerability manifests when the browser's allocator and deallocator functions operate with inconsistent memory management strategies. The mismatch occurs between different memory allocation pools and their corresponding deallocation routines, creating opportunities for memory layout corruption that could be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically impacts Firefox's handling of dynamic memory allocation during web page rendering and JavaScript execution, where memory is frequently allocated and freed. Such inconsistencies in memory management can lead to heap corruption, which provides attackers with potential pathways to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a potential attack surface that could be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that could bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious web content that triggers the memory allocation/deallocation mismatch during normal browsing operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-415, which describes improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation, and represents a classic example of heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw's exploitation potential has been categorized under attack techniques that involve memory corruption and code execution, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where browser security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6602 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Firefox 128 or Firefox ESR 115.13, which contain patches that resolve the allocator-deallocator mismatch. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Additional protective measures include implementing strict browser security policies, enabling sandboxing features, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content. Security teams should also monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework includes techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection, making comprehensive monitoring and incident response procedures essential. Organizations lacking immediate update capabilities should consider implementing browser hardening measures and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through content filtering solutions.