CVE-2016-2815 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the browser engine in Mozilla Firefox before 47.0 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2815 represents a critical security flaw within the browser engine of Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 47.0. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities, indicating that the exact nature of the flaws was not fully disclosed in the initial reporting. The affected component is the browser engine itself, which serves as the core rendering and execution layer responsible for processing web content, handling user interactions, and managing the overall browser functionality. Such fundamental components are prime targets for attackers seeking to compromise browser security and gain unauthorized access to systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability manifests through memory corruption issues that can lead to application crashes and potentially enable arbitrary code execution. Memory corruption vulnerabilities typically occur when programs write data to memory locations they shouldn't access, often due to buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management flaws. These types of issues are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged to execute malicious code remotely without requiring user interaction or specific privileges. The unspecified nature of the vectors suggests that multiple attack paths may exist within the browser engine, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against comprehensively.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Firefox as their primary web browser. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The denial of service aspect further compounds the risk by allowing attackers to disrupt business operations through application crashes and system instability. Organizations may experience productivity losses, security incidents, and potential regulatory compliance issues if such vulnerabilities remain unpatched in their browser environments.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat models, particularly those addressing browser-based attacks and memory corruption exploits. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability likely relates to multiple weakness categories including CWE-119 for memory corruption issues, CWE-125 for out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787 for out-of-bounds write operations. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under initial access and execution phases, specifically leveraging browser exploitation techniques to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads. Organizations should prioritize patch management and browser hardening strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2815 should focus primarily on immediate remediation through updating Firefox to version 47.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing browser security measures such as sandboxing, content security policies, and regular security assessments can provide additional layers of protection. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts, while user education regarding safe browsing practices remains essential. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.