CVE-2023-5174
CWE-416Published: September 27, 2023· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official Description
If Windows failed to duplicate a handle during process creation, the sandbox code may have inadvertently freed a pointer twice, resulting in a use-after-free and a potentially exploitable crash.
*This bug only affects Firefox on Windows when run in non-standard configurations (such as using `runas`). Other operating systems are unaffected.* This vulnerability affects Firefox < 118, Firefox ESR < 115.3, and Thunderbird < 115.3.
Risk Analysis
Firefox contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the sandbox code on Windows when handling duplicate handles during process creation. This could be exploited to cause a crash or potentially execute arbitrary code.
No public exploit is known, and it is not in KEV. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable with low complexity.
Update to Firefox 118, Firefox ESR 115.3, or Thunderbird 115.3 or later.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2023-5174 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-416): Use-after-free vulnerabilities involve accessing memory after it has been freed, often enabling arbitrary code execution.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (8)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-416)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2023-5174 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts