CVE-2024-8384 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2024
The JavaScript garbage collector could mis-color cross-compartment objects if OOM conditions were detected at the right point between two passes. This could have led to memory corruption. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 130, Firefox ESR < 128.2, and Firefox ESR < 115.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8384 resides within the JavaScript garbage collection mechanism of Mozilla Firefox browsers, specifically exposing a critical memory corruption issue that could be exploited under certain conditions. This flaw manifests when the garbage collector encounters out-of-memory conditions during a specific phase between two collection passes, leading to improper handling of cross-compartment objects. The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of memory safety issues that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability.
Cross-compartment objects represent a fundamental security mechanism in Firefox's JavaScript engine, designed to isolate different script contexts and prevent unauthorized access between them. When the garbage collector fails to properly "color" these objects during collection cycles, it creates a scenario where memory management decisions become inconsistent and potentially dangerous. The timing aspect of this vulnerability is particularly significant, as it requires OOM conditions to occur at precisely the right moment between two garbage collection passes, making detection and exploitation challenging but not impossible. This precise timing requirement aligns with common patterns seen in heap-based memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8384 extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable remote code execution when exploited through malicious web content. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by crafting JavaScript payloads that trigger the specific memory conditions necessary for exploitation, potentially leading to full system compromise. The affected versions include Firefox 130 and below, Firefox ESR 128.2 and below, and Firefox ESR 115.15 and below, representing a substantial portion of deployed browser versions that require immediate attention. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-122, which describes improper reallocation, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions, both of which are common in memory management flaws.
Security professionals should prioritize patching affected systems immediately, as this vulnerability represents a high-severity risk that could be actively exploited in the wild. The remediation approach involves updating to patched versions of Firefox, specifically Firefox 130, Firefox ESR 128.2, and Firefox ESR 115.15 respectively. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious JavaScript behavior that might indicate attempts to trigger this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for JavaScript and T1068 for exploit development, highlighting the need for defensive measures against both exploitation techniques and potential post-exploitation activities. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing and content security policies should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.