CVE-2018-16070 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflows in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 69.0.3497.81 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16070 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Skia graphics library component that forms part of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 69.0.3497.81 and enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. The Skia library serves as a comprehensive 2D graphics software library that handles rendering operations for Chrome's user interface and web content, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise browser security. Integer overflows occur when arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value that can be stored in the designated data type, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating integer values within the Skia library's memory allocation routines to cause integer overflow conditions that ultimately result in heap corruption. When Chrome processes a crafted HTML page containing malicious graphics operations, the Skia library's handling of certain numerical parameters can cause unsigned integer arithmetic to wrap around to zero or negative values. This overflow condition directly impacts memory allocation functions where the library calculates buffer sizes based on user-supplied values, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory layout. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and overflow checking within the graphics processing code paths that handle various image and vector graphics operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16070 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with a pathway for remote code execution in the context of the Chrome browser process. This allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the browser user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it highly suitable for drive-by download scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads, with the attack surface expanding to include all users running affected Chrome versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16070 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 69.0.3497.81 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow conditions in the Skia library. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, as the vulnerability affects widely used browser versions. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious graphics-related requests, implementing content security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious resources, and utilizing sandboxing mechanisms that limit the damage potential of successful exploits. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through browser-based attacks, highlighting the need for layered security approaches that address both the specific vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns.