CVE-2017-15399 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 62.0.3202.89 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15399 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome's web browser. This particular weakness exists in versions prior to 62.0.3202.89 and enables remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code through maliciously crafted HTML pages. The issue stems from improper memory management within the JavaScript engine's garbage collection mechanisms, creating opportunities for heap corruption that could be exploited by attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free conditions where program memory is accessed after it has been freed. In the context of Chrome's V8 engine, this occurs when JavaScript objects are prematurely deallocated from memory while still being referenced by active code paths. The flaw specifically manifests when the engine processes certain JavaScript constructs that involve object deletion followed by subsequent access to the freed memory location, allowing attackers to manipulate the heap layout and potentially inject malicious code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users since it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult to defend against through traditional user education methods. Attackers can craft HTML pages containing malicious JavaScript code that triggers the use-after-free condition, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation capability is enhanced by modern browser security mechanisms that may be bypassed through sophisticated attack techniques.
The impact of CVE-2017-15399 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation through browser exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in unpatched systems. Security teams should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to mitigate potential exploitation attempts while awaiting official patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated remote exploitation techniques.