CVE-2018-5159 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2018-5159 affecting Thunderbird and Firefox versions, leading to out-of-bounds writes and crashes triggered by web content. Find mitigation steps and patching details here.
A vulnerability in the Skia library affecting Thunderbird and Firefox versions prior to specified versions.
Understanding CVE-2018-5159
What is CVE-2018-5159?
The Skia library may experience an integer overflow issue, potentially leading to out-of-bounds writes and crashes triggered by web content.
The Impact of CVE-2018-5159
This vulnerability affects Thunderbird versions prior to 52.8, Thunderbird ESR versions prior to 52.8, Firefox versions prior to 60, and Firefox ESR versions prior to 52.8.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-5159
Vulnerability Description
An integer overflow in the Skia library due to inadequate checks can result in out-of-bounds writes, posing a crash risk triggered by web content.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Thunderbird versions prior to 52.8
- Thunderbird ESR versions prior to 52.8
- Firefox versions prior to 60
- Firefox ESR versions prior to 52.8
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability arises from a 32-bit integer used in an array without proper overflow checks, leading to potential out-of-bounds writes.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Thunderbird and Firefox to versions 52.8 and 60 respectively.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software to the latest versions.
- Implement web content filtering and security protocols.
Patching and Updates
Apply security patches provided by Mozilla to address the Skia library vulnerability.