CVE-2017-5070 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 59.0.3071.86 for Linux, Windows, and Mac, and 59.0.3071.92 for Android, allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5070 represents a critical type confusion issue within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome's browser functionality. This flaw exists in versions prior to 59.0.3071.86 for desktop platforms and 59.0.3071.92 for Android systems, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely through malicious web content. The vulnerability specifically affects the engine's handling of object types during runtime execution, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass Chrome's security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this type confusion vulnerability stems from improper type validation within V8's object management system. When processing crafted HTML pages, the JavaScript engine fails to properly verify object types during dynamic operations, enabling an attacker to coerce objects into unexpected type states. This memory corruption occurs in the context of Chrome's sandboxed environment where JavaScript execution is typically isolated from system-level operations. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate object pointers and method tables, effectively enabling code execution within the restricted sandbox boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5070 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can bypass multiple security layers within Chrome's architecture. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The sandbox escape capability makes this particularly dangerous since it undermines the fundamental security model that separates browser rendering from system operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and CWE-476 for null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to type confusion scenarios.
Security researchers have identified this issue as a prime example of how modern browser engines face increasingly complex attack surfaces due to their extensive use of Just-In-Time compilation and dynamic type systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the challenges in maintaining memory safety within high-performance JavaScript engines where optimization techniques can introduce subtle security flaws. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, as this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild prior to the release of patched versions. The remediation strategy involves updating to Chrome versions 59.0.3071.86 or later for all supported platforms, ensuring that the patched V8 engine properly validates object types during runtime execution and maintains proper memory boundaries within the sandbox environment.