CVE-2017-15409 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Heap buffer overflow in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 63.0.3239.84 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-2017-15409 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the Skia graphics library component of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 63.0.3239.84. This issue resides in the rendering engine's handling of graphical elements and memory management, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The Skia library serves as a core component responsible for 2D graphics rendering across Chrome's user interface and web content processing, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for browser security.
The technical flaw manifests as a heap buffer overflow during the processing of specially crafted HTML content that triggers improper memory allocation and handling within the Skia graphics subsystem. When Chrome encounters maliciously constructed web pages containing specific graphical elements or rendering instructions, the underlying memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions where dynamic memory allocation takes place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in vulnerable Chrome versions, trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially gain control over the victim's machine. This represents a significant threat vector within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique category for command and control, as successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users need only visit a malicious website to be at risk, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised advertising networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15409 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 63.0.3239.84 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the heap buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all Chrome installations remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies that can limit the potential damage from successful exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs, as it highlights how graphics rendering components can become attack surfaces for sophisticated exploitation techniques. Security teams should also consider monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify unusual memory allocation patterns or buffer overflow signatures in real-time network traffic.