CVE-2020-12419 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2020-12419, a use-after-free vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox ESR, Firefox, and Thunderbird, potentially leading to memory corruption and exploitable crashes. Find mitigation steps and updates here.
A use-after-free vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox ESR, Firefox, and Thunderbird could lead to memory corruption and potentially exploitable crashes.
Understanding CVE-2020-12419
What is CVE-2020-12419?
When processing callbacks during window flushing in the parent process, a use-after-free condition in the associated window could occur, leading to memory corruption.
The Impact of CVE-2020-12419
This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 68.10, Firefox < 78, and Thunderbird < 68.10.0, potentially allowing for exploitable crashes due to memory corruption.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-12419
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from processing callbacks during window flushing, causing a use-after-free condition in the associated window.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Firefox ESR < 68.10
- Firefox < 78
- Thunderbird < 68.10.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The use-after-free condition could lead to memory corruption and potentially exploitable crashes.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Firefox ESR, Firefox, and Thunderbird to versions 68.10, 78, and 68.10.0 or higher.
- Consider disabling JavaScript if updating is not immediately possible.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update browsers and email clients to the latest versions.
- Implement security best practices to mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Apply patches provided by Mozilla to address the use-after-free vulnerability.