CVE-2017-5071 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient validation of untrusted input 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 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-2017-5071 represents a critical memory safety issue within the V8 JavaScript engine used in Google Chrome browsers across multiple platforms. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize untrusted data before processing. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 59.0.3071.86 on Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems, as well as version 59.0.3071.92 and earlier on Android platforms. The issue manifests as an out of bounds memory read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted HTML web pages, potentially allowing unauthorized data access from memory locations beyond intended boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the V8 engine's handling of untrusted input within JavaScript execution contexts. When Chrome processes HTML content containing crafted malicious input, the insufficient validation allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that exceed the bounds of allocated memory regions. This memory corruption vulnerability specifically targets the JavaScript engine's memory management systems, enabling attackers to read data from memory locations that should remain inaccessible. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory safety and input validation, where proper bounds checking mechanisms fail to prevent access to memory beyond allocated buffers, creating a pathway for information disclosure and potential further exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to users of affected Chrome versions, as it enables remote code execution capabilities through web-based attacks. The out of bounds memory read allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from memory, including credentials, personal data, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes insufficient input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution within web browsers. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the memory access patterns could potentially be leveraged to bypass security mitigations or establish more sophisticated attack vectors.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5071 primarily involve immediate browser updates to patched versions that include proper input validation and memory bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected Chrome installations receive updates promptly. Additionally, network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection by blocking suspicious HTML content. Browser hardening configurations should be implemented to restrict JavaScript execution capabilities where possible, and security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted web content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation in software systems and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation gaps can lead to significant security consequences in complex software environments.