Firefox: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2023-4048 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Firefox from Mozilla, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 116 as the first without the flaw, so updating Firefox to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.93% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Firefox to 116 or a later version.
- Update Firefox ESR to 102.14 or 115.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on mozilla.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mozilla | Firefox | before 116 | 116 |
| Mozilla | Firefox ESR | before 102.14; before 115.1 | 102.14, 115.1 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0; 11.0; 12.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
An out-of-bounds read could have led to an exploitable crash when parsing HTML with DOMParser in low memory situations. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 116, Firefox ESR < 102.14, and Firefox ESR < 115.1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00008.htmlThird Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00010.htmlThird Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5464Third Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5469Third Party Advisory
Other references
- bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1841368Issue Tracking, Permissions Required
Other vulnerabilities in Firefox
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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