CVE-2017-5074 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in Chrome Apps in Google Chrome prior to 59.0.3071.86 for Windows allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page, related to Bluetooth.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5074 represents a critical use after free flaw within Google Chrome's implementation of Chrome Apps on Windows systems. This security weakness existed in Chrome versions prior to 59.0.3071.86 and enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through specially crafted HTML pages that leveraged Bluetooth functionality. The flaw stems from improper memory management where freed memory locations were still being accessed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targeted the Chrome Apps runtime environment which provides native application capabilities within the browser context, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic use after free condition that occurs when the Chrome Apps framework handles Bluetooth-related operations. When processing Bluetooth events or data structures, the application allocates memory for Bluetooth objects and subsequently frees this memory upon completion of operations. However, the code fails to properly invalidate pointers or check for proper memory state before accessing previously freed memory locations. This memory access pattern allows an attacker to craft HTML content that triggers specific Bluetooth operations, causing the application to read from memory that has already been deallocated, resulting in out of bounds memory reads that can be leveraged for information disclosure or code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web technologies and native application interfaces, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional web security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5074 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Remote exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised content. The vulnerability affects Windows users specifically, as the implementation differences between operating systems create unique attack vectors within the Chrome Apps framework. Attackers could potentially use this flaw to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or extract sensitive information from the compromised system. The out of bounds memory read capability allows for information leakage that could reveal memory layout details, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as heap spraying or return-oriented programming exploits. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use after free conditions and represents a common vector for remote code execution in browser environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5074 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to Chrome 59.0.3071.86 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the memory management issues in the Bluetooth handling code. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected Chrome installations are updated promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious HTML content that might trigger the vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary Chrome Apps functionality and restricting access to Bluetooth APIs through enterprise policies. The remediation process should include monitoring for exploitation attempts and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential variants or similar vulnerabilities in other browser components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in complex application frameworks and highlights the need for continuous security auditing of native code integration within web browsers, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.