CVE-2009-2555 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in src/jsregexp.cc in Google V8 before 1.1.10.14, as used in Google Chrome before 2.0.172.37, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the Chrome sandbox via a crafted JavaScript regular expression.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2555 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Google V8 JavaScript engine's regular expression processing component. This flaw exists in the src/jsregexp.cc file and affects versions of V8 prior to 1.1.10.14, which were integrated into Google Chrome versions before 2.0.172.37. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and memory management during the processing of JavaScript regular expressions, creating a condition where maliciously crafted regex patterns can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the regular expression compiler's heap allocation routines. When V8 processes malicious JavaScript regular expressions, the engine fails to properly validate the size and structure of the compiled regular expression objects, leading to a situation where buffer overflow conditions can occur in heap memory regions. This specific flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature makes exploitation more complex yet equally dangerous. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of JavaScript engine internals and memory management, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical web application security concerns, as it enables remote code execution within the Chrome sandbox environment. Attackers can craft specific JavaScript regular expressions that, when processed by the vulnerable V8 engine, will overwrite adjacent heap memory with malicious payloads. This capability allows adversaries to bypass the Chrome sandbox protections and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing attacks and drive-by download scenarios where users are unaware of the compromise. The attack vector directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and T1068 for exploit development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected V8 engine versions and Chrome browsers to versions 1.1.10.14 and 2.0.172.37 respectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in interpreted languages and the necessity of robust memory management in high-performance JavaScript engines. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and regular security assessments of browser-based applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other JavaScript engine implementations.