CVE-2026-92047 in Firefox
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
Privilege escalation in the Crash Reporting component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 156 and Firefox ESR 153.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The identified security issue resides within the crash reporting subsystem of Mozilla Firefox, specifically involving a privilege escalation flaw that allows an attacker to gain elevated system permissions beyond those intended for standard user contexts. This vulnerability highlights a critical gap in how the browser handles error diagnostics and logging mechanisms when interacting with underlying operating system components. In typical web browsing scenarios, applications operate under restricted privileges to contain potential damage from malicious content; however, flaws in diagnostic tools can inadvertently provide an attack vector that bypasses these sandboxing measures. The crash reporting component is designed to collect detailed technical data about application failures for debugging purposes, but if this process does not strictly enforce least-privilege principles, it becomes a target for exploitation by adversaries seeking deeper system access.
From a technical perspective, the flaw likely stems from improper validation of input or insufficient checks on the execution context when generating crash dumps. An attacker could potentially craft specific conditions that trigger the crash reporter to execute code with higher privileges than those assigned to the main browser process. This type of vulnerability is commonly categorized under CWE-269, which addresses Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a failure to correctly enforce role-based access controls during runtime operations. By exploiting this weakness, an adversary could transition from a low-level untrusted state to a high-privilege environment, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the host system. Such escalation is particularly dangerous because crash reporters often run with significant permissions to ensure they can capture comprehensive memory dumps without interference from other processes or security software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as successful exploitation could lead to full control over the affected machine. Once an attacker achieves elevated privileges through the crash reporting mechanism, they may install persistent malware, modify system configurations, access sensitive files, and pivot to other devices on the network. This aligns with techniques observed in advanced persistent threat campaigns where initial browser-based compromises are leveraged for lateral movement and long-term espionage. The ATT&CK framework classifies such actions under privilege escalation tactics, specifically noting methods that abuse operating system features or services running with elevated rights. For organizations relying on Firefox as their primary web client, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to endpoint security posture, particularly in environments where users frequently encounter unstable websites or legacy applications that might trigger frequent crashes.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching and proactive monitoring. The most effective remediation is the deployment of the fixed versions, specifically Firefox 156 and Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) version 153.3, which contain code changes to correct the privilege handling logic within the crash reporting module. Organizations should enforce automated update policies to ensure all endpoints are running these patched versions without delay. Additionally, implementing application control solutions can restrict the execution of unauthorized binaries or scripts that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability before patches are applied. Security teams should also monitor for anomalous behavior in system logs related to crash dump generation and unexpected privilege changes, as these indicators may signal active exploitation attempts. Regular audits of browser configurations and disabling unnecessary diagnostic features where not required can further reduce the attack surface associated with such components.