CVE-2017-5036 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 57.0.2987.98 for Mac, Windows, and Linux and 57.0.2987.108 for Android allowed a remote attacker to have an unspecified impact via a crafted PDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5036 represents a critical use after free flaw within PDFium, the embedded PDF rendering library used by Google Chrome across multiple platforms. This vulnerability existed in Chrome versions prior to 57.0.2987.98 for Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems, and before 57.0.2987.108 for Android devices. The flaw manifests when processing maliciously crafted PDF files, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed, leading to potential arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use after free conditions, which is a well-documented software security weakness where programs access memory after it has been freed by the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the PDF parsing process within the PDFium library, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the browser. When a victim opens a specially crafted PDF file, the malicious document triggers a sequence where allocated memory structures are freed but subsequently accessed, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through web browsers, requiring no local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted document. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services and applications through crafted input.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5036 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation could result in complete system takeover, data theft, or deployment of additional malware. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or lateral movement within networks. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that organizations using Chrome across different operating systems face identical risks, making it a particularly concerning security issue. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as the patch for this issue was included in Chrome version 57.0.2987.98 and later. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures and consider network-based protections such as web application firewalls to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability exemplifies the ongoing challenges in memory safety within complex software systems, particularly in libraries that handle untrusted input like PDF rendering engines. The use after free condition represents one of the most common classes of vulnerabilities in software security, with similar patterns observed in numerous other applications and libraries. Mitigation strategies should include regular security updates, browser hardening measures, and user education about avoiding untrusted PDF content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of memory safety practices and static analysis tools in software development processes, as these issues often arise from insufficient input validation and improper memory management. Organizations should maintain comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular scanning for similar issues in their software stack and monitoring for exploitation attempts in their networks.