CVE-2017-5077 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in Skia 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-2017-5077 represents a critical security flaw in the Skia graphics rendering engine that forms a core component of Google Chrome's rendering pipeline. This issue affects multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, Mac, and Android platforms, demonstrating the widespread impact of the underlying memory safety problem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Skia library, which is responsible for handling graphics operations and rendering web content. When processing untrusted HTML content, the system fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory access operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory management functions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the category of memory safety issues, specifically classified as an out-of-bounds memory read condition that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that, when rendered by the affected Chrome versions, trigger memory access patterns that extend beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This particular flaw allows for unauthorized memory reads that could potentially expose sensitive data or provide attackers with information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, where the Skia engine's failure to validate input parameters creates a predictable access pattern that can be systematically exploited.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5077 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the context of web-based exploitation. This vulnerability can be weaponized through social engineering techniques, where users are诱导 to visit malicious websites or open compromised email attachments containing the crafted HTML content. The remote attack vector means that no local system compromise is required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently browse untrusted websites. From an adversarial perspective, this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges or extract information from the target system through memory access manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to the secure releases mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 59.0.3071.86 for Linux, Windows, and Mac, and 59.0.3071.92 for Android. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies that ensure all systems are running patched versions of Chrome, as the vulnerability affects multiple platforms and operating systems. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious HTML content patterns, though this represents a secondary defense measure. Security teams should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify anomalous memory access patterns or browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in graphics rendering libraries and underscores the critical need for continuous security assessment of core system components that handle untrusted data.