Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
On Windows, older Firefox versions could let a web hyperlink trigger Internet Explorer resource handling and open a local file at a known path, if the user approved a prompt. The source bundle says other operating systems are unaffected and Firefox before version 67 is affected.
Executive priority
Handle as a legacy browser exposure cleanup item, not an emergency unless vulnerable Firefox remains in business use. The lack of CVSS and KEV evidence lowers urgency, but outdated browsers on Windows still create avoidable user-driven risk.
Technical view
CVE-2019-11700 concerns handling of hyperlinks using the res: protocol on Windows. In Firefox versions before 67, such a link could open local files at known locations through Internet Explorer behavior after user approval. The provided sources do not include CVSS, CWE, exploit details, or broader product impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Windows endpoints still running Firefox earlier than 67. Non-Windows systems are explicitly described as unaffected in the source bundle. Modern, supported Firefox deployments should be checked against Mozilla's advisory rather than assumed vulnerable.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires user interaction: a user must follow the hyperlink and approve execution when prompted. Evidence is incomplete on practical impact beyond opening known local files.
Researcher notes
Do not overstate this CVE. The source bundle names Firefox before 67, Windows-only behavior, res: protocol hyperlinks, Internet Explorer involvement, known local file locations, and required user approval. It does not prove arbitrary file access, silent exploitation, exploitation in the wild, or affected non-Mozilla products.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade or remove Firefox versions earlier than 67 on Windows systems.
- Review Mozilla MFSA2019-13 for the vendor's fixed-version guidance.
- Prioritize unsupported browser cleanup on managed Windows endpoints.
- Treat user-prompt approval as risk reduction, not a complete control.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows endpoints for Firefox versions below 67.
- Confirm non-Windows assets are excluded from this specific exposure.
- Review browser-management records for Firefox update compliance.
- Check security telemetry for unusual res: protocol hyperlink handling, if logged.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2019-11700 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2019-13/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1549833CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.