CVE-2017-5103 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use of an uninitialized value in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 60.0.3112.78 for Linux, Windows, and Mac allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5103 represents a critical security flaw within the Skia graphics rendering library that forms a core component of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 60.0.3112.78 across multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of uninitialized memory values during graphics processing operations, creating a potential information disclosure vector that could be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of uninitialized memory access, which is classified as CWE-457 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. When Chrome processes certain HTML content, the Skia library fails to properly initialize specific memory locations before utilizing their contents. This uninitialized memory may contain residual data from previous operations, including potentially sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system memory contents. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that trigger specific rendering paths within the Skia library, causing the uninitialized memory to be read and potentially exposed to the attacker through various memory disclosure mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5103 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gather sensitive process memory contents that might include session tokens, personal data, or other confidential information. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1005 for data from local system, as it allows for memory-based reconnaissance and information gathering. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might be tricked into visiting malicious websites.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a sophisticated understanding of browser internals and memory management patterns within the Skia graphics library. Attackers typically craft HTML pages that utilize specific CSS properties or graphics operations that force the browser to execute code paths where uninitialized memory is accessed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the graphics rendering layer, which is frequently accessed during normal web browsing activities. This means that users could be exposed to information disclosure risks simply by visiting compromised websites or viewing maliciously crafted web content without any additional user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5103 primarily involve updating to Chrome version 60.0.3112.78 or later, which includes patches that properly initialize memory values before use. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, content security policies, and regular security audits can provide additional layers of protection. Security professionals should monitor for related vulnerabilities in the Skia library and other graphics rendering components, as similar uninitialized memory issues may exist in other parts of the browser architecture. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of memory safety practices in graphics libraries and the need for thorough testing of memory initialization routines in complex software components.