External risk intelligence

Firefox and Thunderbird Type Confusion Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-17026

A type confusion flaw in the IonMonkey JIT compiler used in certain Mozilla products could allow attackers to compromise systems. Affected organizations face risks to their data and systems due to this vulnerability.

1Halo Surface Signal

Mozilla Firefox

before 68.4.1before 72.0.116.04

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2019-17026

This vulnerability affects client-side applications (web browsers and email clients). These products are not deployed as internet-facing services, gateways, or APIs, and do not represent a reachable network attack surface in the context of infrastructure or server-side deployment.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A flaw in the IonMonkey Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler used in certain Mozilla products can lead to type confusion when setting array elements. This issue stems from incorrect alias information within the compiler. Organizations using affected software face risks to their systems and data.

  • Vulnerable compiler component
  • Incorrect alias information flaw
  • Potential for data corruption or unauthorized access

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability arises from incorrect alias information within the IonMonkey JIT compiler when handling array element assignments. Such a flaw could enable type confusion, potentially allowing an attacker to compromise systems. Organizations using affected software should be aware of this attack vector.

  • Exposure via an external network.
  • Attacker accesses through a malicious website.
  • Triggering action leads to unauthorized control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary code by attackers who trick users into visiting a malicious website or opening a crafted email. The attackers are not required to have any prior access to the organization's systems. Given the potential for widespread impact and the known exploitation in targeted attacks, this vulnerability represents a significant business risk. Organizations should prioritize remediation to mitigate the threat to their data and systems.

  • Attackers with low skill needed.
  • Requires user interaction.
  • High business risk or urgency.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in the IonMonkey JIT compiler for setting array elements could allow for type confusion, leading to targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects specific versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird. Understanding and addressing this risk is important for organizations using these products.

  • Identify exposed Firefox and Thunderbird assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate affected systems.
  • Apply vendor fixes and validate.
  • Monitor for related security events.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IonMonkey JIT compiler in Firefox and Thunderbird?

The IonMonkey JIT compiler is a component within Mozilla's Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email client. It's responsible for optimizing code execution by converting certain parts of the software's code into machine code just before it runs, making the applications faster.

How does CVE-2019-17026 cause a type confusion weakness?

CVE-2019-17026 is a type confusion vulnerability. This happens because of errors in how the IonMonkey JIT compiler handles information about data aliases when setting array elements, leading to the software misinterpreting data types.

What user actions are required to trigger this vulnerability?

This vulnerability is triggered when a user interacts with malicious content. Specifically, an attacker could trick a user into visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted email that exploits the flaw in the browser or email client.

Who should be concerned about CVE-2019-17026 based on its access surface?

Users of affected Firefox and Thunderbird versions should be concerned. While the Halo Surface Signal indicates this vulnerability is "Very unlikely" to be an infrastructure concern because it affects client applications, individuals using these programs are at risk if they encounter malicious content.

What's the first step to address this vulnerability in Firefox or Thunderbird?

The primary first step is to update your Firefox or Thunderbird software to a version that corrects this vulnerability. Applying vendor-provided updates is crucial for mitigating the risk associated with this type of flaw.

References