CVE-2025-4918: Out-of-bounds access when resolving Promise objects in Mozilla Firefox
An attacker was able to perform an out-of-bounds read or write on a JavaScript `Promise` object. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 138.0.4, Firefox ESR < 128.10.1, Firefox ESR < 115.23.1, Thunderbird < 128.10.2, and Thunderbird < 138.0.2.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-4918 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird products, specifically affecting Firefox versions prior to 138.0.4, Firefox ESR versions prior to 128.10.1 and 115.23.1, as well as Thunderbird versions prior to 128.10.2 and 138.0.2. The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds (OOB) access issue when resolving JavaScript Promise objects. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that an attacker can read or write memory outside the intended boundaries. The flaw exists in the JavaScript engine's handling of Promise resolution, which is a fundamental asynchronous programming construct widely used in web applications and browser internals. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit it remotely by convincing a user to visit a malicious website or open a crafted email containing malicious JavaScript code. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting the critical nature of this vulnerability with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser or email client, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads, steal sensitive data, or disrupt user systems. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability requiring immediate attention. The absence of patch links in the provided data suggests that fixes may be pending or newly released, so users should verify and apply updates promptly once available.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird across enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and confidential communications. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without user interaction increases the likelihood of targeted attacks, including espionage, ransomware deployment, or disruption of services. Organizations relying on Firefox or Thunderbird for daily operations may face operational disruptions, data breaches, and reputational damage. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, which handle sensitive data and are frequent targets of cyberattacks, are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability's network-based attack vector means that perimeter defenses alone may not suffice, especially if users access untrusted websites or email content. Given the criticality, European organizations must prioritize mitigation to maintain compliance with data protection regulations and safeguard their digital assets.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate patching: Organizations should monitor Mozilla's official security advisories and apply updates to Firefox and Thunderbird as soon as patches become available. 2. Browser and email client hardening: Disable or restrict JavaScript execution in email clients where feasible and use browser security features such as Content Security Policy (CSP) to limit the impact of malicious scripts. 3. Network defenses: Deploy web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and implement intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 4. User awareness: Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious emails, emphasizing the importance of cautious behavior. 5. Application isolation: Use sandboxing technologies and endpoint protection platforms that can contain potential exploitation attempts and prevent lateral movement. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare detection signatures and response playbooks specific to this vulnerability to enable rapid containment if exploitation is detected. 7. Alternative browsers: Where immediate patching is not possible, consider temporary use of alternative browsers with no known exposure to this vulnerability to reduce risk.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria
CVE-2025-4918: Out-of-bounds access when resolving Promise objects in Mozilla Firefox
Description
An attacker was able to perform an out-of-bounds read or write on a JavaScript `Promise` object. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 138.0.4, Firefox ESR < 128.10.1, Firefox ESR < 115.23.1, Thunderbird < 128.10.2, and Thunderbird < 138.0.2.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-4918 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird products, specifically affecting Firefox versions prior to 138.0.4, Firefox ESR versions prior to 128.10.1 and 115.23.1, as well as Thunderbird versions prior to 128.10.2 and 138.0.2. The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds (OOB) access issue when resolving JavaScript Promise objects. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that an attacker can read or write memory outside the intended boundaries. The flaw exists in the JavaScript engine's handling of Promise resolution, which is a fundamental asynchronous programming construct widely used in web applications and browser internals. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit it remotely by convincing a user to visit a malicious website or open a crafted email containing malicious JavaScript code. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting the critical nature of this vulnerability with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser or email client, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads, steal sensitive data, or disrupt user systems. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability requiring immediate attention. The absence of patch links in the provided data suggests that fixes may be pending or newly released, so users should verify and apply updates promptly once available.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird across enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and confidential communications. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without user interaction increases the likelihood of targeted attacks, including espionage, ransomware deployment, or disruption of services. Organizations relying on Firefox or Thunderbird for daily operations may face operational disruptions, data breaches, and reputational damage. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, which handle sensitive data and are frequent targets of cyberattacks, are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability's network-based attack vector means that perimeter defenses alone may not suffice, especially if users access untrusted websites or email content. Given the criticality, European organizations must prioritize mitigation to maintain compliance with data protection regulations and safeguard their digital assets.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Immediate patching: Organizations should monitor Mozilla's official security advisories and apply updates to Firefox and Thunderbird as soon as patches become available. 2. Browser and email client hardening: Disable or restrict JavaScript execution in email clients where feasible and use browser security features such as Content Security Policy (CSP) to limit the impact of malicious scripts. 3. Network defenses: Deploy web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and implement intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. 4. User awareness: Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious emails, emphasizing the importance of cautious behavior. 5. Application isolation: Use sandboxing technologies and endpoint protection platforms that can contain potential exploitation attempts and prevent lateral movement. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare detection signatures and response playbooks specific to this vulnerability to enable rapid containment if exploitation is detected. 7. Alternative browsers: Where immediate patching is not possible, consider temporary use of alternative browsers with no known exposure to this vulnerability to reduce risk.
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- mozilla
- Date Reserved
- 2025-05-17T19:40:51.300Z
- Cisa Enriched
- true
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 682cd0f71484d88663aeb1a9
Added to database: 5/20/2025, 6:59:03 PM
Last enriched: 9/23/2025, 12:22:30 AM
Last updated: 9/29/2025, 8:37:17 AM
Views: 36
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