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Firefox 19 Fixes HTTPS Phishing Issue, Adds Built-In PDF Viewer

JB

Mozilla has released Firefox 19, the latest version of its flagship browser, which includes not only fixes for a number of serious security vulnerabilities but also a built-in PDF viewer. The native PDF viewer in Firefox could help protect against some of the ongoing attacks that use vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and other PDF readers as infection vectors.

Attackers have been preying on Reader and Acrobat vulnerabilities for several years now, although the sandbox that Adobe added to Reader X and later versions has helped protect users against many exploits. Just last week, though, the first confirmed Reader sandbox escape exploit surfaced. Adobe patched that vulnerability on Tuesday.

Mozilla officials said the inclusion of the built-in PDF viewer should make life a little easier for Firefox users when they encounter a PDF on a site.