CVE-2018-18500 : What You Need to Know

A use-after-free vulnerability in parsing HTML5 streams with custom elements can lead to exploitable crashes in Thunderbird, Firefox ESR, and Firefox.

Understanding CVE-2018-18500

This CVE involves a critical use-after-free vulnerability affecting various Mozilla products.

What is CVE-2018-18500?

The vulnerability arises during the parsing of HTML5 streams alongside custom HTML elements, causing the premature release of the stream parser object from memory while still in use, potentially resulting in a crash that could be exploited.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18500

The vulnerability impacts Thunderbird versions below 60.5, Firefox ESR versions below 60.5, and Firefox versions below 65.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18500

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free vulnerability occurs in the process of parsing HTML5 streams with custom HTML elements, leading to potential exploitable crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Thunderbird < 60.5
Firefox ESR < 60.5
Firefox < 65

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by manipulating HTML5 streams and custom elements to trigger the premature release of the stream parser object.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-18500, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Thunderbird, Firefox ESR, and Firefox to versions 60.5 and above.
Implement security patches provided by Mozilla.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Mozilla products to the latest versions.
Employ secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Mozilla and apply patches promptly.