CVE-2019-9820 : What You Need to Know

A use-after-free vulnerability in Thunderbird, Firefox, and Firefox ESR versions prior to specified versions can lead to a potentially exploitable crash.

Understanding CVE-2019-9820

What is CVE-2019-9820?

The vulnerability lies in the chrome event handler of Thunderbird, Firefox, and Firefox ESR versions before specific versions, allowing a use-after-free scenario that could potentially be exploited.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9820

The use-after-free vulnerability in the chrome event handler could result in a crash, which malicious actors could potentially exploit.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9820

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability occurs in Thunderbird < 60.7, Firefox < 67, and Firefox ESR < 60.7 due to a use-after-free issue in the chrome event handler.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products affected: Thunderbird, Firefox, Firefox ESR
Versions affected: Thunderbird < 60.7, Firefox < 67, Firefox ESR < 60.7

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises when the chrome event handler is released while still in use, leading to a crash that could be exploited.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Thunderbird, Firefox, and Firefox ESR to versions 60.7, 67, and 60.7 respectively.
Monitor official security advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement security best practices to prevent and detect vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Mozilla promptly to address the vulnerability.