---
title: "CVE-2018-5165\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2018-5165?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2018-5165

Publication date 11 June 2018

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.3 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2018-5165?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

In 32-bit versions of Firefox, the Adobe Flash plugin setting for "Enable
Adobe Flash protected mode" is unchecked by default even though the Adobe
Flash sandbox is actually enabled. The displayed state is the reverse of
the true setting, resulting in user confusion. This could cause users to
select this setting intending to activate it and inadvertently turn
protections off. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 60.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2018-5165?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| firefox | 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 17.10 artful | Not affected |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not affected |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [tyhicks](https://launchpad.net/~tyhicks)

mozjs contains a copy of the SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine

---

### [chrisccoulson](https://launchpad.net/~chrisccoulson)

Flash protected mode is Windows only

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.3 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | Low |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.3 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2018-5165)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-5165)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2018-5165)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2018-5165)

### Other references

* <https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2018-11/#CVE-2018-5165>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-5165>