CVE-2013-0836 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8 before 3.14.5.3, as used in Google Chrome before 24.0.1312.52, does not properly implement garbage collection, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0836 represents a critical flaw in Google V8 JavaScript engine's garbage collection implementation that affected Google Chrome versions prior to 24.0.1312.52. This issue stems from improper memory management within the V8 engine's garbage collection mechanism, which is fundamental to JavaScript execution environments. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and application security, where incorrect garbage collection behavior can lead to unpredictable system states and potential exploitation opportunities. The affected V8 versions prior to 3.14.5.3 demonstrate a failure in maintaining proper memory lifecycle management, creating conditions where malicious JavaScript code can manipulate the garbage collection process to achieve unintended outcomes.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of memory references during garbage collection cycles, specifically within V8's memory management subsystem. When JavaScript code executes with crafted malicious patterns, it can trigger scenarios where the garbage collector fails to properly identify and reclaim memory that should be freed, or conversely, attempts to reclaim memory that is still in use. This mismanagement creates memory corruption conditions that can result in application crashes or more severe consequences. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service since the improper garbage collection implementation can potentially allow for memory corruption that may lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The flaw operates as a memory safety issue that violates fundamental principles of secure memory management, making it particularly dangerous in web browser environments where untrusted code execution is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users of affected Chrome versions, as it provides remote attackers with a means to cause application instability or potentially achieve more severe exploitation outcomes. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft JavaScript payloads that can trigger the garbage collection malfunction, resulting in application crashes that can be used for denial of service attacks against web applications or user sessions. However, the potential for more serious consequences exists since memory corruption issues in JavaScript engines can sometimes be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation or code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a user to visit a malicious website or execute malicious JavaScript code within the browser context, making it a client-side attack vector that can be delivered through various means including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted content from multiple sources.
The remediation for CVE-2013-0836 requires updating to Google Chrome version 24.0.1312.52 or later, which includes the patched V8 engine version 3.14.5.3 or newer. This update addresses the garbage collection implementation issues by correcting how memory references are tracked and managed during garbage collection cycles. Organizations should prioritize this update as a critical security measure since the vulnerability affects the core JavaScript execution engine that powers web browser functionality. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and user education to reduce the risk of exploitation through malicious websites or content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in secure software development and highlights how fundamental engine-level flaws can create widespread security risks across affected applications. This issue aligns with CWE-129 and CWE-787 categories related to improper input validation and out-of-bounds writes, while potentially mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through browser-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and browser hardening measures to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.