CVE-2022-38476Network attack vector

Use-after-free via password-key data race

Published Dec 22, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025

Data race in Mozilla Firefox ESR and Thunderbird before 102.2 allows attackers to trigger a use-after-free during primary-password changes. In NSS, sftkdb_switchKeys writes keyHandle->passwordKey.data while readers and freeing paths access the password key without consistently taking passwordLock. The race requires a user-initiated primary-password change and concurrent key-database activity; public evidence does not establish code execution.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.83%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Data race in Mozilla Firefox ESR and Thunderbird before 102.2 allows attackers to trigger a use-after-free during primary-password changes. In NSS, sftkdb_switchKeys writes keyHandle->passwordKey.data while readers and freeing paths access the password key without consistently taking passwordLock. The race requires a user-initiated primary-password change and concurrent key-database activity; public evidence does not establish code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-38476
Published
Dec 22, 2022
Updated
Apr 15, 2025
Vendor
Mozilla
Product
Thunderbird
Classifications
CWE-416
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 22, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 15, 2025Record 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 <102.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Mozilla · Thunderbirdversion=unspecified <102.2
Mozilla · Firefox ESRversion=unspecified <102.2

Published CVSS scores

7.5CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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