CVE-2018-16082 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An out of bounds read in Swiftshader in Google Chrome prior to 69.0.3497.81 allowed a remote attacker to potentially perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16082 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Swiftshader, a software rasterizer component that Google Chrome employs for rendering graphics when hardware acceleration is unavailable or disabled. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 69.0.3497.81 and exposes users to potential remote code execution risks through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory access controls within the Swiftshader rendering pipeline, specifically when processing certain HTML elements that trigger improper memory dereferencing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer over-read condition that occurs during the processing of graphics rendering commands within the software rasterizer. When Chrome encounters HTML content that utilizes specific CSS properties or WebGL operations, the Swiftshader component fails to properly validate array indices or memory boundaries before accessing graphical data structures. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that allow attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables remote code execution through browser-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially extract sensitive information from memory, manipulate program execution flow, or establish persistent access to affected systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path when Chrome renders the content, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a significant threat in modern browser environments where users frequently browse untrusted content. This issue specifically affects systems running Chrome versions before the 69.0.3497.81 release, which contained patches addressing the memory access violations in the Swiftshader component.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16082 primarily focus on immediate software updates to the latest Chrome versions that contain the necessary patches for the Swiftshader rendering component. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Chrome version 69.0.3497.81 or later across all affected systems, as these releases include memory boundary checks and input validation improvements that prevent the out-of-bounds read conditions. Additionally, browser security configurations can be enhanced through the implementation of content security policies and sandboxing mechanisms that limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious HTML content patterns that may trigger this vulnerability, though such measures cannot replace the fundamental need for software patching. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights the risks associated with relying on software rasterizers in security-sensitive environments where hardware acceleration is not available or properly configured.