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CVE Record

CVE-2017-5472: A use-after-free vulnerability with the frameloader during tree reconstruction while regenerating CSS layou...

A use-after-free vulnerability with the frameloader during tree reconstruction while regenerating CSS layout when attempting to use a node in the tree that no longer exists. This results in a potentially exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 54, Firefox ESR < 52.2, and Thunderbird < 52.2.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is an old Mozilla memory-safety issue that could crash Firefox, Firefox ESR, or Thunderbird and was described as potentially exploitable. Business risk is mainly from unmanaged legacy desktops, servers, or virtual images still running pre-2017 Mozilla packages.

Executive priority

Prioritize cleanup if any affected Mozilla versions remain in use. The issue is old, but legacy browser and mail clients create avoidable exposure to memory corruption bugs.

Technical view

CVE-2017-5472 is a use-after-free in Mozilla frameloader handling during tree reconstruction while CSS layout is regenerated. It occurs when code attempts to use a node that no longer exists. Affected versions are Firefox before 54, Firefox ESR before 52.2, and Thunderbird before 52.2.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on legacy endpoints, old Linux distributions, archived workstation images, or embedded desktop builds using Firefox < 54, Firefox ESR < 52.2, or Thunderbird < 52.2.

Exploitation context

The CVE description says the crash is potentially exploitable, but the provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Treat internet-facing browsing and email-rendering use of affected versions as higher risk.

Researcher notes

No CVSS vector, CWE, or confirmed exploitation evidence is included in the bundle. Analysis should stay tied to Mozilla’s affected-version statement and downstream Debian and Red Hat advisories.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Firefox to version 54 or later.
  • Upgrade Firefox ESR and Thunderbird to version 52.2 or later.
  • Apply relevant Debian or Red Hat security updates where Mozilla packages are OS-managed.
  • Remove unsupported Mozilla builds from golden images and legacy hosts.
  • Check current Mozilla and distribution advisories for environment-specific guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird versions across endpoints.
  • Confirm no detected version is below the fixed thresholds.
  • Verify Debian and Red Hat package advisory updates are installed where applicable.
  • Review vulnerability scanner findings for stale CPE or package detections.
  • Check legacy VM templates and offline images, not only active endpoints.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2017-5472 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
9Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
MozillaFirefoxunspecifiedListed
MozillaFirefox ESRunspecifiedListed
MozillaThunderbirdunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.