CVE-2019-11756 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A use-after-free vulnerability in Firefox versions before 71 could lead to a denial of service due to incorrect management of reference counts for soft token session objects.

Understanding CVE-2019-11756

This CVE involves a security flaw in Firefox that could result in a denial of service due to a use-after-free situation.

What is CVE-2019-11756?

The vulnerability arises from the improper management of reference counts for soft token session objects in Firefox versions prior to 71.

The Impact of CVE-2019-11756

The vulnerability could lead to a use-after-free scenario and subsequent crashes, primarily resulting in a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-11756

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the incorrect management of reference counts for soft token session objects, potentially causing a use-after-free situation and subsequent crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Firefox
Vendor: Mozilla
Versions Affected: Before 71

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating reference counts for soft token session objects, leading to a use-after-free scenario.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-11756 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Firefox to version 71 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor security advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement security best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and security awareness.

Patching and Updates

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