CVE-2023-6862

Name: CVE-2023-6862
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-12-19T14:15:07.603+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 0.95%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-6862 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A use-after-free was identified in the `nsDNSService::Init`. This issue appears to manifest rarely during start-up. EPSS estimates a 0.95% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A use-after-free was identified in the `nsDNSService::Init`. This issue appears to manifest rarely during start-up. This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 115.6 and Thunderbird < 115.6.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.95%

56.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
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=1868042Issue 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://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1868042Issue 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

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-6862?

A use-after-free was identified in the `nsDNSService::Init`. This issue appears to manifest rarely during start-up. This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 115.6 and Thunderbird < 115.6.

How severe is CVE-2023-6862?

CVE-2023-6862 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.95% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6862?

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-2023-6862?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST