CVE-2020-26960 : What You Need to Know

A use-after-free vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird could allow an attacker to crash the application.

Understanding CVE-2020-26960

This CVE involves a potential use-after-free vulnerability in nsTArray usage in Mozilla products.

What is CVE-2020-26960?

If the Compact() method is invoked on an nsTArray, reallocation without updating pointers may lead to a use-after-free scenario and a crash.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26960

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a crash of affected applications, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26960

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory in nsTArray, potentially leading to a use-after-free condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Firefox versions prior to 83
Firefox ESR versions prior to 78.5
Thunderbird versions prior to 78.5

Exploitation Mechanism

By triggering the Compact() method on an nsTArray, an attacker could exploit the reallocation issue to achieve a use-after-free condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-26960 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird to versions 83, 78.5, and 78.5 respectively.
Monitor security advisories from Mozilla for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Mozilla promptly to address the use-after-free vulnerability in affected products.