CVE-2017-5117 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use of an uninitialized value in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 61.0.3163.79 for Linux and Windows 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 • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5117 represents a critical memory safety issue within the Skia graphics library component that forms part of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This flaw exists in Chrome versions prior to 61.0.3163.79 and affects both Linux and Windows operating systems, making it a widespread concern across multiple platform environments. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of uninitialized memory values during graphics processing operations, creating a potential information disclosure risk 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 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. When Chrome processes certain HTML content through the Skia graphics library, it fails to properly initialize specific memory variables before using them in rendering operations. This uninitialized memory may contain residual data from previous operations or system processes, which can then be inadvertently exposed to attackers. The flaw specifically manifests during the handling of crafted HTML pages that trigger particular graphics rendering paths within the Skia component, allowing malicious actors to craft payloads that can extract sensitive information from the browser's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted memory contents could potentially contain session tokens, user credentials, personal data, or other sensitive information depending on what was previously stored in the affected memory regions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about running processes, or potentially escalate their privileges if the leaked information contains system-level data. The remote exploitation capability means that victims need only visit a malicious website or click on a crafted link to be compromised, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for remote code execution through browser exploitation and represents a significant risk to user privacy and system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5117 primarily focus on updating Chrome to version 61.0.3163.79 or later, which includes patches that properly initialize memory variables within the Skia library. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of this security update across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where browser-based attacks pose significant threats. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, deploying content security policies, and utilizing browser hardening techniques that limit the attack surface for graphics rendering operations. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or unusual data exfiltration attempts that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust memory safety practices in browser engines to prevent information disclosure attacks that can compromise user privacy and system integrity.