CVE-2023-6857

Name: CVE-2023-6857
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-12-19T14:15:07.377+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.3/10EPSS 0.66%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-6857 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.3/10 on the CVSS scale. When resolving a symlink, a race may occur where the buffer passed to `readlink` may actually be smaller than necessary. *This bug only affects Firefox on Unix-based operating systems (Android, Linux, MacOS). EPSS estimates a 0.66% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

When resolving a symlink, a race may occur where the buffer passed to `readlink` may actually be smaller than necessary. *This bug only affects Firefox on Unix-based operating systems (Android, Linux, MacOS). Windows is unaffected.* This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 115.6, Thunderbird < 115.6, and Firefox < 121.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.3/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

EPSS Probability

0.66%

47.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-362

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Mozilla	Firefox	< 121.0
Mozilla	Firefox Esr	< 115.6
Mozilla	Thunderbird	< 115.6
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Debian	Debian Linux	11.0
Debian	Debian Linux	12.0

References

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1796023Issue Tracking, Permissions Required
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00021.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-10Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5581Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5582Third Party Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-54/Vendor Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-55/Vendor Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-56/Vendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1796023Issue Tracking, Permissions Required
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00021.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-10Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5581Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5582Third Party Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-54/Vendor Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-55/Vendor Advisory
https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2023-56/Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 19, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-6857?

How severe is CVE-2023-6857?

CVE-2023-6857 has a CVSS score of 5.3/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.66% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6857?

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-2023-6857?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST