CVE-2022-45412Network attack vector

Memory disclosure via incorrect symlink target length

Published Dec 22, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025

Uninitialized-buffer disclosure in Firefox before 107, Firefox ESR before 102.5, and Thunderbird before 102.5 allows attackers to read memory. On Unix systems, XPCOM's nsLocalFile::GetNativeTarget() sizes the target buffer from lstat() but ignores the shorter byte count returned by readlink(), leaving unwritten bytes in the string used by an error message. Triggering the disclosure requires user interaction with content that resolves a crafted local symlink; the reported consequence is exposure of process memory, not code execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.79%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uninitialized-buffer disclosure in Firefox before 107, Firefox ESR before 102.5, and Thunderbird before 102.5 allows attackers to read memory. On Unix systems, XPCOM's nsLocalFile::GetNativeTarget() sizes the target buffer from lstat() but ignores the shorter byte count returned by readlink(), leaving unwritten bytes in the string used by an error message. Triggering the disclosure requires user interaction with content that resolves a crafted local symlink; the reported consequence is exposure of process memory, not code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-45412
Published
Dec 22, 2022
Updated
Apr 15, 2025
Vendor
Mozilla
Product
Firefox
Classifications
CWE-59
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 <107

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Mozilla · Firefoxversion=unspecified <107
Mozilla · Thunderbirdversion=unspecified <102.5
Mozilla · Firefox ESRversion=unspecified <102.5

Published CVSS scores

8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS: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 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-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

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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