BlackTreeCVE Intelligence
← Back to the CVE catalogue
Full vulnerability report · 2022
CVE-2022-22753High confidence

A Time-of-Check Time-of-Use bug existed in the Maintenance (Updater) Service that could be abused to grant Users write access to an arbitrary directory

Mozilla · Firefox

7.1HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Mitigation available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 16 Apr 2025

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • EPSS is 0.63% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Apply the linked authoritative mitigation while planning the permanent fix.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Mozilla Firefox and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Recheck the vendor advisory before scheduling a change because no verified fixed version is currently retained.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Alpine, Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

18 package states
Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Alpine v3.23v3.23 · communityfirefoxVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.23v3.23 · communitylibrewolfVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.23v3.23 · communitythunderbirdVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.91.6.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.22v3.22 · communityfirefoxVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.22v3.22 · communitylibrewolfVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.22v3.22 · communitythunderbirdVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.91.6.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 11 Sep 2026
Alpine v3.21v3.21 · communityfirefoxVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 19 Aug 2026
Alpine v3.21v3.21 · communitylibrewolfVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.97.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 19 Aug 2026
Alpine v3.21v3.21 · communitythunderbirdVendor fix publishedAlpine records a security fix at this version. An absent entry does not mean the package is unaffected.91.6.0-r0Alpine Security Database ↗Source updated 19 Aug 2026
Debian trixietrixie · sourcefirefox-esrNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian trixietrixie · sourcethunderbirdNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcefirefox-esrNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcethunderbirdNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcefirefox-esrNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcethunderbirdNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcefirefoxNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcefirefox-esrNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcethunderbirdNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2022-27896

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Mitigation available
01

What, why and how

A Time-of-Check Time-of-Use bug existed in the Maintenance (Updater) Service that could be abused to grant Users write access to an arbitrary directory. This could have been used to escalate to SYSTEM access.<br>*This bug only affects Firefox on Windows. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 97, Thunderbird < 91.6, and Firefox ESR < 91.6.

What

A Time-of-Check Time-of-Use bug existed in the Maintenance (Updater) Service that could be abused to grant Users write access to an arbitrary directory. This could have been used to escalate to SYSTEM access.<br>*This bug only affects Firefox on Windows. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 97, Thunderbird < 91.6, and Firefox ESR < 91.6.

Why

The product checks the state of a resource before using that resource, but the resource's state can change between the check and the use in a way that invalidates the results of the check.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

What

A Time-of-Check Time-of-Use bug existed in the Maintenance (Updater) Service that could be abused to grant Users write access to an arbitrary directory. This could have been used to escalate to SYSTEM access.<br>*This bug only affects Firefox on Windows. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 97, Thunderbird < 91.6, and Firefox ESR < 91.6.

Why

The product checks the state of a resource before using that resource, but the resource's state can change between the check and the use in a way that invalidates the results of the check.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
Low: a basic authenticated account is required
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-367 ↗

CWE-367: Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition. The product checks the state of a resource before using that resource, but the resource's state can change between the check and the use in a way that invalidates the results of the check.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkCWE-367Public exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

BSI · German · WID-SEC-2022-0432Xerox FreeFlow Print Server: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein entfernter, authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Xerox FreeFlow Print Server ausnutzen, um die Vertraulichkeit, Verfügbarkeit und Integrität zu gefährden.

Official advisory ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2022-0302Xerox FreeFlow Print Server: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Ausführen von beliebigem Programmcode mit Administratorrechten

Ein entfernter, authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Xerox FreeFlow Print Server ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen, einen Cross-Site-Scripting-Angriff durchzuführen, Informationen offenzulegen, einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu verursachen oder Dateien zu manipulieren.

Official advisory ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2023-0838Xerox FreeFlow Print Server: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein entfernter, authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Xerox FreeFlow Print Server ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen, einen Cross-Site-Scripting-Angriff durchzuführen, Informationen offenzulegen, einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu verursachen oder Dateien zu manipulieren.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20221228Security Bulletin 28 Dec 2022

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 28 Dec 2022, published on 28 December 2022. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-145Multiples vulnérabilités dans Mozilla Thunderbird

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans Mozilla Thunderbird. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire, un contournement de la politique de sécurité et une élévation de privilèges.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-126Multiples vulnérabilités dans Mozilla Firefox

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans Mozilla Firefox. Elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance, un contournement de la politique de sécurité et une élévation de privilèges.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2022-003233Windows 上で稼働する Mozilla Firefox および Thunderbird における Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) 競合状態の脆弱性

Windows 上で稼働する Mozilla Firefox および Thunderbird には、 Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) 競合状態の脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5498Mozilla 제품 보안 업데이트 권고

Firefox에서 유지 관리 서비스를 통해 Windows의 SYSTEM으로 권한 상승 취약점(CVE-2022-22753) 등 12개 [2] Firefox ESR에서 유지 관리 서비스를 통해 Windows의 SYSTEM으로 권한 상승 취약점(CVE-2022-22753) 등 8개 [3]

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Mitigation available
Affected
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
#### Mozilla 제품 보안 업데이트 권고 2022.02.09 ##### □ 개요 o 모질라 재단은 자사 제품에서 발생하는 취약점을 해결한 보안 업데이트 발표 [1] o 공격자는 해당 취약점을 악용하여 피해를 발생시킬 수 있으므로, 최신버전으로 업데이트 권고 ##### □ 설명 o Firefox에서 유지 관리 서비스를 통해 Windows의 SYSTEM으로 권한 상승 취약점(CVE-2022-22753) 등 12개 [2] o Firefox ESR에서 유지 관리 서비스를 통해 Windows의 SYSTEM으로 권한 상승 취약점(CVE-2022-22753) 등 8개 [3] ##### □ 영향받는 제품 및 최신 버전 제품명 영향받는 버전 최신 버전 Firefox 97 이전 버전 97 Firefox ESR 91.6 이전 버전 91.6 ※ 하단의 참고사이트를 확인하여 업데이트 수행 [4] ##### □ 기타 문의사항 o 한국인터넷진흥원 사이버민원센터: 국번없이 118 [참고사이트] [1] https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/ [2] https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2022-04/ [3] https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2022-05/ [4] https://support.mozilla.org/ko/kb/update-firefox-latest-release ##### □ 작성 : 침해사고분석단 취약점분석팀
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 22 Dec 2022 · Last source change 16 Apr 2025, 14:48 UTC · CWE-367 · Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-27896
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Mitigation available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Mitigation available
    KISA KrCERT/CC ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Remediation guidance recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2022-27896↗KISA KrCERT/CC remediation guidance↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Vendor advisory↗Vendor advisory↗Public exploit reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2022-22753 · cve.blacktree.nl