CVE-2017-5429 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE
Memory safety bugs were reported in Firefox 52, Firefox ESR 45.8, Firefox ESR 52, and Thunderbird 52. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that with enough effort that some of these could be exploited to run arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird < 52.1, Firefox ESR < 45.9, Firefox ESR < 52.1, and Firefox < 53.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5429 represents a collection of memory safety issues discovered in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird products across multiple versions. These memory safety bugs constitute a critical class of vulnerabilities that can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited by malicious actors. The affected software versions include Firefox 52, Firefox ESR 45.8, Firefox ESR 52, and Thunderbird 52, with specific patch versions required to address the identified weaknesses. The vulnerability stems from fundamental memory management flaws that allow attackers to manipulate program memory in ways that could compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw underlying this vulnerability manifests through memory safety issues that can result in memory corruption during normal software operation. These bugs typically involve improper handling of memory allocation, deallocation, or access patterns that can be exploited through carefully crafted inputs or conditions. According to CWE classification, these issues fall under memory safety vulnerabilities that can lead to buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios. The nature of these flaws suggests they could be leveraged through the attacker's ability to control memory contents or execution flow, potentially enabling code execution in the context of the affected applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5429 extends beyond simple functionality degradation to potential full system compromise. When exploited successfully, these memory corruption vulnerabilities can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only end-user browsers but also email clients, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are widely deployed. Attackers could potentially leverage these flaws to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malicious software. The potential for remote code execution through web-based attacks makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5429 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Mozilla. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected versions of Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird to their respective patched releases, specifically Firefox < 53, Thunderbird < 52.1, Firefox ESR < 45.9, and Firefox ESR < 52.1. Additionally, implementing network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering can help reduce exposure to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and initial access through software exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms, such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, to make exploitation more difficult. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any remaining exposures and ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory safety issues.