CVE-2024-7522 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2024
Editor code failed to check an attribute value. This could have led to an out-of-bounds read. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 129, Firefox ESR < 115.14, and Firefox ESR < 128.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7522 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Firefox browser's editor component that stems from inadequate attribute value validation during processing. This issue manifests when the browser encounters malformed or improperly structured attributes within web content, particularly affecting the rich text editing functionality that users employ when interacting with web forms or content management systems. The root cause lies in the editor's failure to perform proper bounds checking on attribute values before processing them, creating a potential pathway for memory access violations that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides within the browser's rendering engine where attribute values are parsed and validated before being processed by the editor subsystem. When an attacker crafts malicious web content with specially crafted attribute values that exceed expected boundaries, the editor component attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space. This fundamental flaw in input validation creates an environment where attackers can potentially trigger memory corruption or information disclosure through carefully constructed payloads. The vulnerability specifically impacts Firefox versions prior to 129, Firefox ESR versions prior to 115.14, and Firefox ESR versions prior to 128.1, indicating that the fix was implemented in these specific release branches to address the underlying bounds checking deficiency.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors including information leakage and remote code execution. An attacker could exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when rendered by an affected Firefox browser, triggers the out-of-bounds read condition. This could result in the disclosure of sensitive memory contents including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data that might be stored in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses the improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent such memory access violations.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given Firefox's widespread adoption across enterprise and individual users, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted campaigns. The impact is amplified when considering that the editor component is frequently used in web applications that require rich text editing capabilities, such as content management systems, email clients, and collaborative platforms. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for more complex attacks, as the memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through browser updates, as the vulnerability's exploitation potential increases with the complexity of the payload that can be constructed against the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Firefox installations while implementing additional defensive measures such as content security policies and web application firewalls to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's resolution through version updates demonstrates the importance of maintaining current browser security patches and implementing automated update mechanisms. Organizations should also consider monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious web content patterns associated with this type of memory corruption vulnerability. The incident underscores the necessity of robust input validation and bounds checking practices in web browser implementations, particularly in components that handle user-generated content and rich text editing functionality.