Use-after-free in the JavaScript Engine component. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 147 and Firefox ESR < 140.7.
Description
Use-after-free in the JavaScript Engine component. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 147 and Firefox ESR < 140.7.
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Update Unknown Multiple Products to the latest version. Monitor for exploitation attempts and review access logs.
Executive Summary:
A critical use-after-free vulnerability, identified as CVE-2026-0884, exists within the JavaScript Engine of certain products, including Mozilla Firefox. Successful exploitation could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim's system by tricking them into visiting a specially crafted webpage, potentially leading to a full system compromise. Due to its critical severity rating (CVSS 9.8), immediate remediation is strongly advised.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-0884
Affected Software: Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Firefox ESR
Affected Versions: Firefox versions prior to 147 and Firefox ESR versions prior to 140.7
Vulnerability: This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the JavaScript Engine. A use-after-free (UAF) condition occurs when a program continues to use a pointer to a memory location after that memory has been deallocated or "freed." An attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious webpage with specific JavaScript code that triggers this condition. By manipulating the freed memory space before it is used again, an attacker can corrupt memory in a controlled way, leading to a crash or, more severely, the execution of arbitrary code with the permissions of the user running the browser.
Business Impact
This vulnerability is rated as critical severity with a CVSS score of 9.8. A successful exploit could have a severe impact on the business, leading to a complete compromise of an affected user's workstation. Potential consequences include the theft of sensitive data such as credentials and corporate information, the deployment of malware like ransomware or spyware, and the use of the compromised system as a foothold to launch further attacks against the internal network. Such an incident could result in significant financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruption.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: The primary remediation is to apply the security updates provided by the vendor. Administrators should update Mozilla Firefox to version 147 or later and Mozilla Firefox ESR to version 140.7 or later. Until patching is complete, actively monitor for signs of exploitation by reviewing endpoint and network logs for anomalous activity originating from browser processes.
Proactive Monitoring: Implement enhanced monitoring on endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions for suspicious behavior related to browser processes. This includes looking for browsers spawning child processes like
cmd.exeorpowershell.exe, unusual network connections to unknown domains, or alerts related to memory corruption exploit techniques. Review web proxy and DNS logs for traffic to newly registered or known malicious domains.Compensating Controls: If immediate patching is not feasible, consider the following compensating controls:
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: False
Analyst Notes: As of January 13, 2026, there are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability. However, vulnerabilities of this type and severity in widely-used software like web browsers are prime targets for threat actors. It is highly probable that proof-of-concept code and active exploitation will emerge. This vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
Analyst Recommendation
Given the critical CVSS score of 9.8 and the high potential for remote code execution, immediate action is required. We strongly recommend that organizations prioritize the deployment of the necessary security updates to all systems running vulnerable versions of Firefox and Firefox ESR. Due to the high likelihood of future exploitation, all vulnerable instances should be considered at significant risk. If patching cannot be performed immediately, implement the suggested compensating controls and maintain a heightened state of monitoring until all systems are secured.