CVE-2017-5098 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 60.0.3112.78 for Mac, Windows, Linux, and 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 • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5098 represents a critical use after free condition within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome's browser functionality. This flaw exists in versions prior to 60.0.3112.78 across multiple operating systems including Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory blocks are accessed after their intended lifecycle has ended, creating potential entry points for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where program code continues to reference memory that has already been freed. In the context of V8's JavaScript engine, this occurs when the engine fails to properly track object references and memory allocation states during JavaScript execution. When a JavaScript object is deleted or freed from memory but subsequent code attempts to access that same memory location, the system experiences undefined behavior that can be exploited by attackers.
Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability through crafted HTML pages that trigger specific JavaScript code patterns designed to manipulate memory allocation and deallocation sequences. The exploitation technique involves creating malicious web content that forces the V8 engine into a state where it attempts to read from memory that has already been freed, resulting in an out of bounds memory read operation. This type of attack demonstrates the classic characteristics of a memory corruption vulnerability that can be weaponized to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5098 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through standard web browsing activities. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that automatically exploit this condition when users visit compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability affects all major operating systems where Chrome is deployed, amplifying its potential impact across diverse threat landscapes. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and with T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how browser-based attacks can leverage memory corruption to achieve system compromise.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of Chrome version 60.0.3112.78 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory management issues in V8's garbage collection and object reference tracking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability exists across multiple platforms and deployment scenarios. Additional mitigations include browser hardening measures such as enabling sandboxing features and implementing content security policies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and the inherent risks associated with complex JavaScript engines that handle untrusted code execution in modern web browsers.