CVE-2026-74969: Race condition, use-after-free in the Layout: Text and Fonts component

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HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-74969 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting firefox, thunderbird. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Race condition, use-after-free in the Layout: Text and Fonts component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 154, Firefox ESR 115.39, Firefox ESR 140.14, Firefox ESR 153.1, Thunderbird 154, Thunderbird 140.14, and Thunderbird 153.1.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 59%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2026-08-18
Last modified	2026-10-28

Publisher (CNA): Mozilla Corporation · Vendor: mozilla

Last updated 2026-10-28 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-18 13:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-28 17:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mozilla firefox UPGRADE

Affected: < 115.39.0 · >= 116.0 and < 140.14.0 · >= 141.0 and < 153.1.0

Fixed in: 115.39.0, 140.14.0, 153.1.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 116.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy firefox || rpm -q firefox || firefox --version

2. UPGRADE to 115.39.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade firefox

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade firefox

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 116.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison firefox sudo apt install firefox=<VERSION_BEFORE_116.0> sudo apt-mark hold firefox

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list firefox sudo dnf downgrade firefox-<VERSION_BEFORE_116.0> sudo dnf versionlock add firefox

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

mozilla thunderbird UPGRADE

Affected: < 140.14.0 · >= 141.0 and < 153.1.0

Fixed in: 140.14.0, 153.1.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 141.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy thunderbird || rpm -q thunderbird || thunderbird --version

2. UPGRADE to 140.14.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade thunderbird

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade thunderbird

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 141.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison thunderbird sudo apt install thunderbird=<VERSION_BEFORE_141.0> sudo apt-mark hold thunderbird

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list thunderbird sudo dnf downgrade thunderbird-<VERSION_BEFORE_141.0> sudo dnf versionlock add thunderbird

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-74969?

firefox: upgrade to 115.39.0, 140.14.0, 153.1.0; thunderbird: upgrade to 140.14.0, 153.1.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-74969 being exploited?

CVE-2026-74969 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-74969 affect?

CVE-2026-74969 affects firefox, thunderbird. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Race condition, use-after-free in the Layout: Text and Fonts component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 154, Firefox ESR 115.39, Firefox ESR 140.14, Firefox ESR 153.1, Thunderbird 154, Thunderbird 140.14, and Thunderbird 153.1.

How urgent is CVE-2026-74969?

Priority 41/100. High severity

Software pages

Mozilla Firefox vulnerabilities · Mozilla Thunderbird vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-74990 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Internally found bugs present in Firefox ESR 115.38, Firefox ESR 140.13, Firefox ESR 153.0 and Firefox 153
CVE-2026-74989 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Internally found bugs present in Firefox 153
CVE-2026-74988 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Internally found bugs present in Firefox ESR 153.0 and Firefox 153
CVE-2026-74987 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Internally found bugs present in Firefox ESR 140.13, Firefox ESR 153.0 and Firefox 153
CVE-2026-74949 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Use-after-free in the Graphics: Canvas2D component

References

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