Multiple Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Thunderbird Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

DESCRIPTION:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in Mozilla Thunderbird,
the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution.
Mozilla Thunderbird is an email client. Successful exploitation of the
most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code
execution. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an
attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or
create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are
configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less
impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

IMPACT:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in Mozilla Thunderbird,
the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. In
general, these flaws cannot be exploited through email in the
Thunderbird product because scripting is disabled when reading mail, but
are potential risks in browser or browser-like contexts. Details of
the vulnerabilities are as follows:

* Two vulnerabilities that could be exploited to run arbitrary code
(CVE-2021-38500, CVE-2021-38501)
* A downgrade attack that could allow a MITM to take control of the
authenticated session to execute SMTP commands (CVE-2021-38502)
* Two vulnerabilities that could result in memory corruption and a
potentially exploitable crash (CVE-2021-38496, CVE-2021-38498)
* A vulnerability that allowed for spoofing attacks (CVE-2021-38497)
* A vulnerability that allowed for a potential memory leak (CVE-2021-32810)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities
could allow for arbitrary code execution. Depending on the privileges
associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view,
change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the
the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative
user rights.

SYSTEM AFFECTED:
* Mozilla Thunderbird versions prior to 91.2

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

* Apply appropriate patches provided by Mozilla to vulnerable systems
immediately after appropriate testing.
* Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative
privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
* Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided
by unknown or un-trusted sources.
* Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext
links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
* Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services

REFERENCES:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2021-47/
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38502
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38501
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38500
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38498
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38497
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-38496
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-32810

Published: 20 December 2021, 16:04:44 BST