CVE-2024-7528 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2024
Incorrect garbage collection interaction in IndexedDB could have led to a use-after-free. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 129 and Firefox ESR < 128.1.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7528 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Firefox's IndexedDB implementation, a client-side database system that enables web applications to store and retrieve data locally. This flaw manifests in the interaction between the garbage collection mechanism and IndexedDB objects, creating a scenario where memory previously freed by the garbage collector could be accessed by subsequent operations, leading to potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts Firefox versions prior to 129 and Firefox ESR versions prior to 128.1, making it a significant concern for organizations still operating legacy browser versions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Firefox handles memory management for IndexedDB objects during garbage collection cycles. When objects stored in IndexedDB are no longer referenced by JavaScript code, the garbage collector should properly release their memory resources. However, a flaw exists in the interaction between this collection process and the IndexedDB object lifecycle, potentially allowing the garbage collector to prematurely free memory that is still referenced or accessed by other parts of the IndexedDB system. This misalignment creates a window where freed memory locations could be reused and accessed, resulting in a use-after-free condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser crashes or application instability, as it presents a serious security risk that could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. The use-after-free condition creates opportunities for memory corruption that attackers could exploit through carefully crafted web content, potentially leading to remote code execution. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may be operating outdated browser versions that have not yet received security updates, making them susceptible to exploitation through malicious websites or phishing campaigns that deliver malicious IndexedDB content.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Firefox version 129 or Firefox ESR version 128.1, which contain the necessary patches to address the garbage collection interaction flaw. Security teams should also implement network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious IndexedDB-related content. Additionally, browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary IndexedDB usage and implementing strict content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution, making it relevant for both vulnerability management and threat hunting activities within security operations centers.