CVE-2024-9680
CVE-2024-9680 is a security flaw in Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla’s web browser. Attackers can run their own code on Mozilla Firefox. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 15 Oct 2024, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Mozilla Firefox is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 131.0.2, 128.3.1, 115.16.1 and 131.0.1 and others.
Description
CISA calls it an use-after-free in Mozilla Firefox. In its words: “Mozilla Firefox and Firefox ESR contain a use-after-free vulnerability in Animation timelines that allows for code execution in the content process.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “An attacker was able to achieve code execution in the content process by exploiting a use-after-free in Animation timelines. We have had reports of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 131.0.2, Firefox ESR < 128.3.1, Firefox ESR < 115.16.1, Thunderbird < 131.0.1, Thunderbird < 128.3.1, and Thunderbird < 115.16.0.”[2]
The underlying weakness is use after free (CWE-416), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Firefox | 131.0.2 |
| Firefox ESR | 128.3.1 |
| Firefox ESR | 115.16.1 |
| Thunderbird | 131.0.1 |
| Thunderbird | 128.3.1 |
| Thunderbird | 115.16.0 |
| firefox | 131.0.2 |
| firefox_esr | 128.3.1 |
Every device with Mozilla Firefox needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 15 Oct 2024, 6 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 5 Nov 2024 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 23%. That’s in the top 3% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Mozilla has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Update Mozilla Firefox now.Install the latest update from Mozilla on every device that has it, and restart when asked. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 131.0.2 or later.Fixed in version 131.0.2, 128.3.1, 115.16.1 and 131.0.1 and others. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 23%.[4] |
See also
Other Mozilla Firefox flaws
- CVE-2015-4495: security feature bypass ·
- CVE-2022-26486: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2022-26485: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2013-1675: information disclosure ·
Other Mozilla flaws
- CVE-2010-3765, Mozilla products: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2016-9079, Mozilla Firefox, Firefox ESR, and Thunderbird: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2019-11708, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird: sandbox escape ·
- CVE-2019-11707, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird: type confusion ·
- CVE-2013-1690, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird: denial-of-service ·
Other use after free flaws
- CVE-2026-109619, PHP: stale internal request-state ·
- CVE-2026-109618, PHP: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2026-68820, Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2010-0249, Microsoft Internet Explorer: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2020-9715, Adobe Acrobat: use-after-free ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2024-30088, Microsoft Windows: kernel TOCTOU race condition ·
- CVE-2024-28987, SolarWinds Web Help Desk: hardcoded credential ·
Every Mozilla flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in October 2024
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 15 Oct 2024.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2024-9680 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 9 Oct 2024.
- ^ Mozilla. Advisories and fixes: mozilla.org, msrc.microsoft.com, mozilla.org, mozilla.org.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.232, percentile 97.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2024-9680”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.