CVE-2020-12416 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A VideoStreamEncoder may have been freed in a race condition with VideoBroadcaster::AddOrUpdateSink in Firefox < 78, leading to a use-after-free vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2020-12416

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in Firefox versions below 78.

What is CVE-2020-12416?

The vulnerability arises from a race condition between a VideoStreamEncoder and VideoBroadcaster::AddOrUpdateSink, potentially causing memory corruption and exploitable crashes.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12416

The vulnerability could result in a use-after-free scenario, memory corruption, and potentially exploitable crashes in affected Firefox versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12416

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

A VideoStreamEncoder being freed in a race condition with VideoBroadcaster::AddOrUpdateSink leads to a use-after-free vulnerability in Firefox < 78.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Firefox
Vendor: Mozilla
Versions Affected: < 78

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through a specific sequence of actions that trigger the race condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from the CVE and preventing exploitation is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Firefox to version 78 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor security advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities in software.