CVE-2018-18497

Name: CVE-2018-18497
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-02-28T18:29:01.79+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 1.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-18497 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. Limitations on the URIs allowed to WebExtensions by the browser.windows.create API can be bypassed when a pipe in the URL field is used within the extension to load multiple pages as a single argument. This could allow a malicious WebExtension to open privileged about: or file: locations. EPSS estimates a 1.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Limitations on the URIs allowed to WebExtensions by the browser.windows.create API can be bypassed when a pipe in the URL field is used within the extension to load multiple pages as a single argument. This could allow a malicious WebExtension to open privileged about: or file: locations. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 64.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

1.42%

69.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Mozilla	Firefox	< 64.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.10

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106167Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1488180Issue Tracking, Permissions Required, Vendor Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3844-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2018-29/Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106167Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1488180Issue Tracking, Permissions Required, Vendor Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3844-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2018-29/Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 28, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-18497?

How severe is CVE-2018-18497?

Severity scoring for CVE-2018-18497 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 1.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-18497?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2018-18497?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST