CVE-2017-5448 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2017-5448, an out-of-bounds write vulnerability affecting Firefox ESR versions prior to 45.9 and 52.1, and Firefox versions prior to 53. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
CVE-2017-5448 was published on June 11, 2018, by Mozilla. The vulnerability affects Firefox ESR versions prior to 45.9 and 52.1, as well as Firefox versions prior to 53.
Understanding CVE-2017-5448
This CVE involves an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the "ClearKeyDecryptor" code used for decrypting Clearkey-encrypted media content within the Gecko Media Plugin (GMP) sandbox.
What is CVE-2017-5448?
The vulnerability allows for the insertion of arbitrary data into memory, potentially leading to a crash that can be exploited if a method to bypass the sandbox is discovered.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5448
The vulnerability affects users of specific Firefox ESR and Firefox versions, potentially enabling malicious actors to exploit the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5448
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
An out-of-bounds write occurs in the "ClearKeyDecryptor" code while decrypting Clearkey-encrypted media content, running within the GMP sandbox.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Firefox ESR versions prior to 45.9 and 52.1
- Firefox versions prior to 53
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows the writing of arbitrary data into memory, potentially leading to a crash that can be exploited if a sandbox bypass method is found.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2017-5448, follow these mitigation and prevention steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Firefox ESR to version 45.9 or higher
- Update Firefox ESR to version 52.1 or higher
- Update Firefox to version 53 or higher
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update browsers to the latest versions
- Implement sandboxing mechanisms to enhance security
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by Mozilla