Mozilla Firefox Blocks Microsoft Add-Ons -- Temporarily
Mozilla added Microsoft's .NET Framework Assistant to its add-ons blocklist over the weekend. The blocklist blocks programs with evident security vulnerabilities. Before the weekend was over, the app was stricken from the list again.
Firefox spurns the Microsoft add-ons in its blocklist (source: Mozilla)
Mike Shaver, Mozilla's VP of engineering, announced on October 16 in a blog entry that the Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant provided a serious security risk and therefore "put the blocklist entry live immediately." Shaver emphasized that Microsoft itself had concurred with the blockage, leading to the move. Over the weekend Windows users were confronted partly with a warning that the Firefox browser was blocking for security reasons not only .NET Framework Assistant but also the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) in all versions for all applications.
Meanwhile Mozilla has removed at least the .NET Framework Assistant from the list. Even with the previous blocklist in effect, a new override mechanism in the works should prevent the add-on from being disabled. The WPF add-on still remains on the list.
Shaver issued a follow-up blog to describe the flip-flop as acknowledging Microsoft's revised discovery of the Framework Assistant indeed not being a "vector for this attack." Meanwhile users are puzzled over what correspondence transpired between the two entities between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. In any case, Shaver appreciates everyone's "patience and support."
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.