CVE-2017-5038 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Chrome Apps in Google Chrome prior to 57.0.2987.98 for Linux, Windows, and Mac had a use after free bug in GuestView, which allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted Chrome extension.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5038 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Chrome browser's GuestView component that affected Google Chrome versions prior to 57.0.2987.98 across Linux, Windows, and Mac platforms. This issue resides in the Chrome Apps architecture where GuestView serves as a container for embedding web content within applications, creating a complex interaction between the browser's rendering engine and application-specific components that introduces potential memory management risks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation handling within the GuestView class structure. When a Chrome extension triggers specific conditions through crafted malicious code, the GuestView component fails to properly manage memory references after an object has been freed, creating a scenario where subsequent memory access operations can read beyond allocated boundaries. This use-after-free condition occurs during the processing of extension requests that manipulate guest view instances, allowing attackers to exploit the memory corruption through controlled data input that causes the freed memory to be accessed by the application's execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides remote attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The out-of-bounds memory read allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, which could include browser session data, user credentials, or other confidential information stored in memory. The attack vector specifically targets Chrome extensions, which are commonly trusted by users and can be easily distributed through the Chrome Web Store, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world exploitation scenarios where users may unknowingly install malicious extensions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates how complex browser architectures can create attack surfaces that are difficult to predict and secure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through application sandbox bypass, as the vulnerability allows attackers to potentially break out of the browser's security boundaries and access system resources beyond the intended application scope. The vulnerability also relates to technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, as the compromised Chrome extension can leverage the browser's trusted execution environment to perform unauthorized operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5038 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Chrome 57.0.2987.98 or later, which includes memory management fixes specifically targeting the GuestView component's handling of freed objects. System administrators should implement comprehensive extension management policies that restrict installation of third-party extensions from untrusted sources and maintain regular browser update schedules. Additional protective measures include enabling Chrome's built-in security features such as sandboxing, site isolation, and automatic updates to reduce the window of vulnerability exposure. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their browser environments and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or extension behavior anomalies that could indicate successful exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability.