CVE-2020-26971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain blit values provided by the user were not properly constrained, leading to a heap buffer overflow on some video drivers. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 84, Thunderbird < 78.6, and Firefox ESR < 78.6.

Understanding CVE-2020-26971

This CVE involves a heap buffer overflow in WebGL due to improperly constrained blit values provided by the user.

What is CVE-2020-26971?

CVE-2020-26971 is a vulnerability that allows for a heap buffer overflow in WebGL, impacting specific versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, and Firefox ESR.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26971

The vulnerability can be exploited to trigger a heap buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26971

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from inadequately constrained blit values, resulting in a heap buffer overflow on certain video drivers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Firefox < 84
Thunderbird < 78.6
Firefox ESR < 78.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious blit values, triggering the heap buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-26971, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected software to versions equal to or greater than the specified versions.
Consider disabling WebGL if not essential for daily operations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong security measures to prevent and detect buffer overflows.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Mozilla promptly to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.