CVE-2017-5056 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in Blink 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 perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5056 represents a critical use after free condition within the Blink rendering engine of Google Chrome, affecting multiple platform versions prior to specific patch releases. This flaw exists in the browser's handling of memory management during HTML page processing, creating a scenario where freed memory blocks are still accessed by subsequent operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts Linux, Windows, Mac, and Android platforms, demonstrating the widespread nature of the underlying memory corruption issue within the Blink component that powers Chrome's web rendering capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation and subsequent access patterns within Blink's HTML parsing and rendering mechanisms. When processing crafted HTML content, the browser's memory management system fails to properly track object lifecycles, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory references after objects have been freed. This use after free condition creates a predictable memory access pattern that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests as an out of bounds memory read operation, where the attacker-controlled HTML page triggers memory access beyond allocated boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5056 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 category for Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers can leverage browser vulnerabilities to gain control of user systems. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions. Attackers can craft HTML pages that, when loaded in affected Chrome versions, trigger the memory corruption, potentially leading to complete system compromise through techniques such as heap spraying or return-oriented programming.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5056 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, with users urged to upgrade to Chrome 57.0.2987.133 for Linux, Windows, and Mac platforms, and 57.0.2987.132 for Android. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including sandboxing, content security policies, and regular update management procedures to prevent exploitation. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious HTML content targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing browser security controls that limit the impact of potential attacks through mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries, which provide additional layers of defense against memory corruption exploits.