CVE-2016-9079 Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird: memory-safety flaw
In plain words: The program mishandles the memory it uses to keep track of data. A specially made input can scramble that memory. Usually lets an attacker crash the program or run their own code with its permissions.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Jul 13, 2023
What to do
- Install Mozilla's security update for Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Let the browser auto-update and relaunch it when it asks — the fix is not active until you do.
- Keep extensions to a minimum and remove ones you do not recognise.
- Stop using Internet Explorer and any browser that no longer gets updates.
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: A malicious or hacked website can be enough. Browser bugs are often the first step in a longer attack on the whole computer or phone.
The details
- Official name
- Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird Use-After-Free Vulnerability
- Product
- Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird
- CISA description
- Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird contain a use-after-free vulnerability in SVG Animation, targeting Firefox and Tor browser users on Windows.
- Type of flaw
- Memory-safety flaw (CWE-416)
- Confirmed exploited
- Jun 22, 2023
- US federal patch deadline
- Jul 13, 2023
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Answering about CVE-2016-9079 ·
Questions about CVE-2016-9079
Is CVE-2016-9079 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2016-9079 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Jun 22, 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2016-9079?
Install Mozilla's security update for Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Let the browser auto-update and relaunch it when it asks — the fix is not active until you do.
Am I affected by CVE-2016-9079?
Only if you use Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.