CVE-2017-5012 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A heap buffer overflow in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 56.0.2924.76 for Linux, Windows and Mac, and 56.0.2924.87 for Android, allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5012 represents a critical heap buffer overflow within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome browsers. This flaw exists in versions prior to 56.0.2924.76 for Linux, Windows, and Mac platforms, and 56.0.2924.87 for Android devices. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the V8 engine's handling of JavaScript objects and arrays, specifically when processing crafted HTML content that triggers memory allocation patterns leading to buffer overflows. The issue manifests when the engine attempts to allocate memory for JavaScript objects that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a remote code execution vector where attackers can craft malicious HTML pages containing specially constructed JavaScript code. These pages leverage the buffer overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process. The heap overflow specifically targets the V8 engine's memory management systems, particularly affecting how it handles object allocation and memory reallocation during JavaScript execution. Attackers can manipulate the JavaScript engine's memory layout to overwrite critical data structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling them to redirect program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by hosting malicious content, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and individual users alike. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple platforms including desktop operating systems and mobile devices, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity issue due to its potential for remote code execution and the ease with which it can be exploited through web-based attacks.
Organizations and users should immediately update to patched versions of Google Chrome that address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy centers on applying the security patches released by Google, which include memory boundary checks and improved heap management within the V8 engine. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where the risk of exploitation is higher. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, content filtering systems, and browser security enhancements such as sandboxing and strict content security policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns.