CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-6607NVD status: Analyzed

Firefox: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-6607 is a high-severity release of invalid pointer or reference vulnerability in Firefox from Mozilla, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 128 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 0.56% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Firefox to 128 or a later version.
  2. Update Thunderbird to 128 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on mozilla.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  5. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MozillaFirefoxbefore 128128
MozillaThunderbirdbefore 128128

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
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

It was possible to prevent a user from exiting pointerlock when pressing escape and to overlay customValidity notifications from a `&lt;select&gt;` element over certain permission prompts. This could be used to confuse a user into giving a site unintended permissions. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 128 and Thunderbird < 128.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference

The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system, but it calls the wrong release function or calls the appropriate release function incorrectly.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Only call matching memory management functions. Do not mix and match routines. For example, when you allocate a buffer with malloc(), dispose of the original pointer with free().
  • When programming in C++, consider using smart pointers provided by the boost library to help correctly and consistently manage memory.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers.

More Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-763)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in Firefox

All Firefox vulnerabilities

Recent Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerabilities

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