CVE-2021-23987Network attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via memory corruption

Published Mar 31, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Memory corruption in Mozilla Firefox before 87, Firefox ESR before 78.9, and Thunderbird before 78.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. Mozilla has not published the affected components or the invalid memory operations that caused the bundled memory-safety defects. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled browser or browser-like content; Thunderbird email reading is not a route because scripting is disabled.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Mozilla Firefox before 87, Firefox ESR before 78.9, and Thunderbird before 78.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. Mozilla has not published the affected components or the invalid memory operations that caused the bundled memory-safety defects. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled browser or browser-like content; Thunderbird email reading is not a route because scripting is disabled.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-23987
Published
Mar 31, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Mozilla
Product
Firefox
Classifications
CWE-787, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 31, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <87

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Mozilla · Firefoxversion=unspecified <87
Mozilla · Thunderbirdversion=unspecified <78.9
Mozilla · Firefox ESRversion=unspecified <78.9

Published CVSS scores

8.8UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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