CVE-2017-5058 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in PrintPreview in Google Chrome prior to 58.0.3029.81 for Windows allowed a remote attacker to potentially perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5058 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's PrintPreview functionality on Windows systems. This flaw exists in versions prior to 58.0.3029.81 and creates a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The issue specifically affects the browser's handling of memory management during print preview operations, where improper memory deallocation creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within Chrome's print preview component. When processing crafted HTML content, the browser fails to properly validate memory references after objects have been freed, creating a window where attacker-controlled data can be written to or read from already deallocated memory regions. This use-after-free condition allows for out-of-bounds memory access operations that can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability manifests specifically during the rendering of print preview pages, where the browser's memory allocation and deallocation routines are manipulated through carefully crafted HTML input.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to user security as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. Attackers can craft HTML pages that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact extends beyond individual user sessions as successful exploitation can result in persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the victim's environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can create remote exploitation opportunities in browser environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a pattern where attackers construct malicious HTML pages containing specific JavaScript or DOM manipulation sequences that force the browser into the vulnerable code path. Once triggered, the attacker can potentially overwrite memory contents, redirect execution flow, or inject malicious code into the browser process. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or where attackers can leverage social engineering to deliver malicious content. The attack surface is broad given that print preview functionality is commonly used across various web applications and services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory browser updates to Chrome version 58.0.3029.81 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to block known malicious content. Browser hardening configurations should be implemented to restrict access to potentially dangerous APIs and reduce the attack surface. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement comprehensive incident response procedures. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updates in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and workflows.