CVE-2017-5439

A use-after-free vulnerability during XSLT processing due to poor handling of template parameters

published June 11, 2018

CVSS
—
EPSS
4%
Percentile
89.1
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky use-after-free bug lurks in XSLT processing! This vulnerability is like a chef trying to use ingredients that were already tossed in the trash — it can lead to a crash if mishandled! Think of XSLT processing like a restaurant where the chef is preparing dishes based on recipe templates. If the chef mistakenly tries to use an ingredient that has already been disposed of, it could lead to a messy kitchen and a ruined meal. This vulnerability could cause applications like Thunderbird and Firefox to crash unexpectedly, disrupting vital work. While it may not be directly exploitable, the instability it introduces can lead to frustrating experiences for users.

Put simply

Think of XSLT processing like a restaurant where the chef is preparing dishes based on recipe templates. If the chef mistakenly tries to use an ingredient that has already been disposed of, it could lead to a messy kitchen and a ruined meal. The vulnerability arises from poor handling of template parameters during XSLT processing, which can lead to use-after-free errors and, consequently, application crashes.

What to do

This vulnerability could cause applications like Thunderbird and Firefox to crash unexpectedly, disrupting vital work. While it may not be directly exploitable, the instability it introduces can lead to frustrating experiences for users. Update your applications to Thunderbird version 52.1 or later, and Firefox ESR to 45.9 or 52.1 to eliminate this vulnerability. Regularly check for updates to ensure you are protected against such issues. You've got this! Update your software and keep your systems running smoothly! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03504 · 89.1th percentile
Published
2018-06-11T21:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 11 JUN 21:00Z
    A use-after-free vulnerability during XSLT processing due to poor handling of template parameters
    cvelistv5