Learn about CVE-2017-5422, a vulnerability in Firefox and Thunderbird versions prior to 52 that could allow a malicious website to crash the browser using the "view-source:" protocol in a hyperlink.
A vulnerability in Firefox and Thunderbird versions prior to 52 could allow a malicious website to crash the browser by using the "view-source:" protocol in a hyperlink.
Understanding CVE-2017-5422
This CVE entry describes a Denial of Service (DOS) attack that can be triggered by repeatedly using the "view-source:" protocol within a single hyperlink on a malicious website.
What is CVE-2017-5422?
The vulnerability arises from the ability to create clickable "view-source:" links, leading to potential browser crashes when clicked. This issue affects Firefox and Thunderbird versions older than 52.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5422
The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to crash the browser, potentially disrupting user experience and causing inconvenience.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5422
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows a malicious site to crash the browser by using the "view-source:" protocol multiple times within a single hyperlink.
Affected Systems and Versions
Exploitation Mechanism
By including the "view-source:" protocol multiple times within a single hyperlink, a malicious website can trigger a non-exploitable browser crash when the hyperlink is clicked.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2017-5422 and enhance security, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
Long-Term Security Practices
Patching and Updates