CVE-2019-11719 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in Mozilla products could lead to sensitive information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2019-11719

This CVE affects Firefox ESR, Firefox, and Thunderbird versions.

What is CVE-2019-11719?

If a curve25519 private key with leading 0x00 bytes is imported in PKCS#8 format, it may trigger an out-of-bounds read in the NSS library, potentially exposing sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11719

The vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 60.8, Firefox < 68, and Thunderbird < 60.8, potentially leading to information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11719

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

When importing a curve25519 private key with leading 0x00 bytes in PKCS#8 format, an out-of-bounds read in the NSS library can occur, leading to potential information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Firefox ESR < 60.8
Firefox < 68
Thunderbird < 60.8

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is triggered when a specific type of private key is imported in a particular format, causing the out-of-bounds read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-11719.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected products to versions above the specified vulnerable versions.
Monitor for any unusual activities that might indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and encryption mechanisms to protect sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Mozilla promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.