The patch also addressed the issue reported by U.K.-based researcher that allowed access to user information, including Twitter usernames, through Firefox 16.

Firefox 16.0.1 fixed four flaws altogether, including two bugs that had caused a large number of crashes on users' systems.

Although Mozilla has had to quickly re-release Firefox before -- in December 2011 it pulled Firefox 9 a day after that edition's release -- this was the first time the firm pulled Firefox from distribution because of a vulnerability.

According to Web metrics company Net Applications, Firefox accounted for 20% of all browsers used worldwide last month, enough to keep Mozilla in second place -- behind only Microsoft and its Internet Explorer -- in the race for browser share.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at , on or subscribe to . His email address is .