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CVE Record

CVE-2017-7809: A use-after-free vulnerability can occur when an editor DOM node is deleted prematurely during tree travers...

A use-after-free vulnerability can occur when an editor DOM node is deleted prematurely during tree traversal while still bound to the document. This results in a potentially exploitable crash. This vulnerability affects Thunderbird < 52.3, Firefox ESR < 52.3, and Firefox < 55.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2017-7809 is a Mozilla use-after-free flaw that can crash Firefox or Thunderbird when an editor DOM node is deleted during document tree traversal. Sources describe the crash as potentially exploitable. The issue matters mainly where legacy Firefox, Firefox ESR, or Thunderbird versions remain in use.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy software cleanup priority. It is high risk if obsolete Mozilla clients remain deployed, but the supplied evidence does not indicate current active exploitation. Prioritize discovery and removal or upgrade of affected versions.

Technical view

The vulnerability occurs in Mozilla editor DOM handling: a node can be freed prematurely while still bound to the document during traversal, creating a use-after-free condition. Affected versions are Thunderbird before 52.3, Firefox ESR before 52.3, and Firefox before 55. Vendor advisories document fixed releases for Mozilla and downstream Linux packages.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to endpoints, servers, or packaged applications still running outdated Firefox, Firefox ESR, or Thunderbird builds from before the 2017 fixed versions. Modern patched installations should not be exposed based on the supplied sources.

Exploitation context

The provided sources and KEV flag do not show active exploitation. The vulnerability is described as a potentially exploitable crash, but the bundle does not provide exploit-in-the-wild evidence or reliable exploit details.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on version exposure, not exploit reproduction. The source bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, and detailed bug metadata beyond the Mozilla use-after-free description and affected fixed-version boundaries. Downstream advisories indicate packaged remediation across major Linux distributions.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Firefox to version 55 or later where applicable.
  • Upgrade Firefox ESR to version 52.3 or later.
  • Upgrade Thunderbird to version 52.3 or later.
  • Apply relevant Debian, Red Hat, or Gentoo security updates.
  • Check current Mozilla and distribution guidance for any remaining legacy deployments.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird versions across managed assets.
  • Flag Firefox versions below 55 for remediation.
  • Flag Firefox ESR or Thunderbird versions below 52.3 for remediation.
  • Confirm Linux package updates match Debian, Red Hat, or Gentoo advisories.
  • Review endpoint telemetry for unsupported Mozilla browser or mail clients.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
11

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

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CVE-2017-7809 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
10Source 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
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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