CVE-2017-5091 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in IndexedDB in Google Chrome prior to 60.0.3112.78 for Linux, Android, Windows, and Mac 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 • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5091 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's IndexedDB implementation across multiple operating systems including Linux, Android, Windows, and Mac platforms. This flaw existed in Chrome versions prior to 60.0.3112.78 and constituted a significant security risk that could be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The IndexedDB API serves as a client-side storage mechanism that allows web applications to store and retrieve data in a structured format, making it a critical component for modern web applications that require persistent data storage capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the IndexedDB subsystem where a freed memory location was still being accessed after the memory had been deallocated. This use-after-free condition occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed by the system's memory allocator, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations can access invalid memory addresses. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of crafted HTML pages that manipulate IndexedDB operations in ways that trigger the memory corruption, leading to potential out-of-bounds memory reads that can expose sensitive data or allow for further exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to user security as it enables remote code execution capabilities through a web-based attack vector. Attackers could craft malicious HTML pages that when loaded in Chrome would trigger the use-after-free condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system. The out-of-bounds memory read aspect of this vulnerability allows for information disclosure, as attackers could read memory contents that should remain protected, potentially exposing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that users across all supported operating systems were at risk, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued web browsers for years. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would likely be categorized under the attack technique of code injection within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, as the exploitation involves injecting malicious code through crafted web content. The remediation for this vulnerability required immediate patching of Chrome browsers to version 60.0.3112.78 or later, where the memory management issues within IndexedDB were properly addressed. Organizations should have implemented immediate security updates and considered browser hardening measures to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The incident highlighted the importance of robust memory management practices in browser components and underscored the need for continuous security auditing of client-side storage mechanisms that handle sensitive user data.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in web browser security, particularly for core storage APIs that handle user data. The use-after-free condition created a pathway for attackers to potentially escalate privileges and access sensitive system information, making it a prime target for exploitation in advanced persistent threat campaigns. The widespread impact across multiple platforms emphasized the need for coordinated security responses and rapid patch deployment strategies that could protect users across different operating environments while maintaining the integrity of web applications that depend on IndexedDB for data persistence.