Cloud Defense Logo

Products

Solutions

Company

CVE-2017-5422 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

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

        Products: Firefox, Thunderbird
        Vendor: Mozilla
        Versions affected: Prior to 52

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

        Update Firefox and Thunderbird to versions 52 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
        Avoid clicking on suspicious or unknown hyperlinks to prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

        Regularly update browsers and email clients to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
        Educate users on safe browsing practices and the importance of software updates.

Patching and Updates

        Stay informed about security advisories from Mozilla and promptly apply recommended patches to secure systems.

Popular CVEs

CVE Id

Published Date

Is your System Free of Underlying Vulnerabilities?
Find Out Now