CVE-2017-5388 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in Firefox versions prior to 51 allows for a denial of service attack when multiple "webkitRTCPeerConnection" objects are used with a STUN server, leading to the rapid transmission of significant STUN packets.

Understanding CVE-2017-5388

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in Firefox that can be exploited to launch a denial of service attack by sending a large number of STUN packets in a short time frame.

What is CVE-2017-5388?

The vulnerability arises from the lack of rate limiting when utilizing multiple "webkitRTCPeerConnection" objects with a STUN server on e10s systems.
Attackers can exploit this flaw to flood systems with STUN packets, potentially causing a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5388

Firefox versions prior to 51 are affected by this vulnerability.
The exploit allows for the rapid transmission of substantial STUN packets, making systems susceptible to denial of service attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5388

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A STUN server, in combination with numerous "webkitRTCPeerConnection" objects, can be leveraged to send large STUN packets quickly due to the absence of rate limiting on e10s systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Firefox
Vendor: Mozilla
Versions Affected: < 51

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the lack of rate limiting to swiftly transmit significant STUN packets, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2017-5388 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Firefox to version 51 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any unusual patterns that may indicate a denial of service attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network-level rate limiting to prevent the rapid transmission of large packets.
Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Mozilla to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.