CVE-2018-5099 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A potential vulnerability can arise when the widget listener retains strong connections to browser objects that have already been released, leading to a potential crash that may be exploitable when these connections are utilized. This vulnerability impacts Thunderbird versions prior to 52.6, Firefox ESR versions prior to 52.6, and Firefox versions prior to 58.

Understanding CVE-2018-5099

What is CVE-2018-5099?

A use-after-free vulnerability can occur when the widget listener is holding strong references to browser objects that have previously been freed, resulting in a potentially exploitable crash when these references are used.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5099

This vulnerability affects Thunderbird versions prior to 52.6, Firefox ESR versions prior to 52.6, and Firefox versions prior to 58.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5099

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the widget listener retaining strong connections to browser objects that have been released, potentially leading to exploitable crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Thunderbird versions prior to 52.6
Firefox ESR versions prior to 52.6
Firefox versions prior to 58

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited when the widget listener maintains strong references to previously freed browser objects, causing a crash when these references are accessed.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Thunderbird to version 52.6 or newer
Update Firefox ESR to version 52.6 or newer
Update Firefox to version 58 or newer

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions
Implement secure coding practices to prevent use-after-free vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches provided by Mozilla for Thunderbird, Firefox ESR, and Firefox to address this vulnerability.