CVE-2017-5054 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An out-of-bounds read in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 57.0.2987.133 for Linux, Windows, and Mac, and 57.0.2987.132 for Android, allowed a remote attacker to obtain heap memory contents via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5054 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome. This issue affects multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, Mac, and Android platforms, with specific version thresholds indicating the vulnerability existed in Chrome versions prior to 57.0.2987.133 for desktop platforms and 57.0.2987.132 for Android. The flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the V8 engine's memory management operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted HTML content can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a remote attacker exploiting a crafted HTML page that contains malicious JavaScript code designed to manipulate V8's memory access routines. When Chrome processes such malicious content, the V8 engine fails to properly validate array bounds during memory operations, allowing an attacker to read data from adjacent memory locations within the heap. This out-of-bounds read can potentially expose sensitive information including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and JavaScript engine execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to user privacy and system security as it enables information disclosure attacks that can be executed remotely. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure since heap memory often contains sensitive information such as session tokens, encryption keys, or application state data that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they can be exploited through web-based attack vectors, making them accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise while potentially affecting millions of users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5054 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, with users advised to upgrade to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation across all endpoints. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and browser hardening configurations that limit the execution of potentially malicious JavaScript code. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous memory access patterns or unusual data exfiltration attempts that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation attacks.