CVE-2017-5073 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in print preview in Blink 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-2017-5073 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the print preview functionality of Blink, the web rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. This issue affects multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, Mac, and Android platforms, with specific version thresholds indicating the vulnerability was present in Chrome versions prior to 59.0.3071.86 for desktop platforms and 59.0.3071.92 for Android. The flaw resides in how the browser handles memory management during print preview operations, creating a scenario where freed memory blocks can be accessed after they have been deallocated, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and security consequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted HTML page that triggers the print preview functionality in a manner designed to cause the browser to access memory that has already been freed. This use-after-free condition typically arises when the browser's memory management system releases memory associated with a print preview object but continues to reference that memory location, resulting in what is known as an out-of-bounds memory read. The attacker can leverage this condition to potentially read sensitive data from memory locations that should no longer be accessible, or in more severe cases, manipulate memory contents to execute arbitrary code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who may encounter malicious websites or be tricked into visiting compromised web pages. The remote attack vector means that no local interaction is required from the victim, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in the context of modern web browsing. The out-of-bounds memory read can expose sensitive information such as memory addresses, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data stored in the browser's memory space. Additionally, the exploitation potential extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the memory corruption could potentially be leveraged to achieve code execution, effectively allowing attackers to compromise the victim's system. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving memory corruption and code execution through web-based attacks.
The remediation for CVE-2017-5073 requires users to update their Google Chrome installations to versions 59.0.3071.86 or later for desktop platforms and 59.0.3071.92 or later for Android devices. Browser vendors and system administrators should prioritize this update as a critical security measure, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular browser security assessments to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory management practices in browser engines and demonstrates how seemingly isolated functionality like print preview can contain critical security flaws that affect the entire browser ecosystem.