Browser security is vital to protect yourself online, as browsers like Firefox and Chrome are prime targets for cyber attacks. Both Mozilla and Google recently released important security updates to address high-severity vulnerabilities in Firefox and Chrome.
Mozilla patched 11 flaws in Firefox 119, 3 of which were high-severity. These included an insufficient activation delay bug (CVE-2023-5721) that could allow clickjacking, and critical memory safety issues (CVE-2023-5730, CVE-2023-5731) that may enable arbitrary code execution. Medium-risk bugs causing crashes, header leakage and URL opening were also addressed.
Similarly, Google fixed 2 vulnerabilities in Chrome – one high-severity use-after-free flaw (CVE-2023-5472) reported by a researcher was awarded $3000. This could help attackers escape sandbox and execute malicious code.
The urgent browser updates highlight the importance of promptly patching known security bugs, especially critical memory safety issues that are commonly exploited. Both Firefox ESR and Thunderbird were also updated to fix these high-priority issues.
As the two most widely used browsers globally, Firefox and Chrome are obvious targets. It's essential for users to keep them updated to benefit from the latest security protections. Don't ignore prompt update notifications or set automatic updates wherever possible.
Web browsers provide the gateway to online access. Securing them should be part of basic cyber hygiene practices for individuals and organizations. Combined with safe browsing habits, patched and updated browsers significantly lower your risk of cyber attacks via malware infections, data theft and other threats.