CVE-2023-29538 : Security Advisory and Response

A WebExtension vulnerability in Firefox and Focus for Android could lead to leaked directory paths under specific circumstances.

Understanding CVE-2023-29538

This CVE identifies a scenario where a WebExtension may receive a

jar:file:///

URI instead of a

moz-extension:///

URI, resulting in information leakage.

What is CVE-2023-29538?

The vulnerability allows directory paths on a user's machine to be exposed due to an incorrect URI received by WebExtensions in Firefox and Focus for Android.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29538

The impact includes potential exposure of sensitive directory information to malicious entities through the leaked URIs.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29538

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Under specific circumstances, WebExtensions in Firefox and Focus for Android may receive a

jar:file:///

URI instead of the correct

moz-extension:///

URI, leading to directory path leakage.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Mozilla
Affected Products: Firefox for Android, Firefox, Focus for Android
Vulnerable Versions: Less than 112

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can potentially exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive directory paths on an affected user's machine.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures and actions to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Firefox for Android, Firefox, and Focus for Android to versions 112 or higher to mitigate the risk of directory path leakage.

Long-Term Security Practices

Continuously updating browsers and related software is essential to prevent known vulnerabilities and ensure a secure browsing experience.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and security advisories from Mozilla to apply patches addressing CVE-2023-29538.