CVE-2017-5122 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Inappropriate use of table size handling in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 61.0.3163.100 for Windows allowed a remote attacker to trigger out-of-bounds access via a crafted HTML page.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5122 represents a critical memory safety issue within the V8 JavaScript engine used in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 61.0.3163.100 on Windows platforms. This flaw stems from improper handling of table size calculations during JavaScript execution, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the engine's ability to properly validate and manage array bounds when processing table-based data structures, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios that could be exploited by attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the V8 engine's JavaScript compilation and execution pipeline where table size handling routines fail to properly validate input parameters. When Chrome processes HTML content containing crafted table structures, the engine's memory management system incorrectly calculates array dimensions, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access patterns. This mismanagement occurs during the Just-In-Time compilation phase where V8 optimizes JavaScript code execution, particularly affecting scenarios involving dynamic table manipulations and array operations. The flaw manifests when the engine attempts to allocate memory for table representations without proper boundary checks, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully constructed input data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users of affected Chrome versions as it enables remote code execution through web-based attacks. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that, when loaded in a vulnerable browser, trigger the memory corruption issue and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. The impact extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and user privileges.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues in software development. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web browsers. Organizations should immediately update to Chrome version 61.0.3163.100 or later to mitigate this risk, as the patch addresses the core memory management issues in the V8 engine's table size handling routines. Additional mitigations include implementing strict web content filtering, using browser security extensions, and maintaining awareness of the evolving threat landscape for similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in JavaScript engines.