CVE-2018-16083 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An out of bounds read in forward error correction code in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 69.0.3497.81 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16083 represents a critical out of bounds memory read flaw within the WebRTC implementation of Google Chrome browser. This issue specifically affects the forward error correction code component that is integral to real-time communication protocols. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory boundary checking within the WebRTC subsystem, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The flaw exists in Chrome versions prior to 69.0.3497.81, making a substantial user base susceptible to this memory corruption issue.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of data structures during forward error correction processing within WebRTC. When a malicious HTML page is loaded, the crafted content triggers a sequence of operations that cause the application to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This out of bounds read occurs during the processing of media streams and communication data packets that are essential for WebRTC functionality. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which is classified as a memory safety issue that can lead to information disclosure or potential code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with memory corruption flaws that are commonly exploited in browser-based attack scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who browse the internet regularly, particularly in environments where WebRTC functionality is actively utilized. Remote attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when visited by unsuspecting users, trigger the out of bounds read condition. The attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting the compromised webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The memory read operation can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in the browser's memory space. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for browser scripting and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through memory corruption.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-16083 involves immediate deployment of Chrome version 69.0.3497.81 or later, which includes patches that address the memory boundary checking issues in the WebRTC forward error correction implementation. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the security update promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious WebRTC-related traffic patterns, enabling browser security features such as sandboxing and content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that utilize WebRTC functionality. Network administrators should also consider monitoring for unusual WebRTC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should maintain awareness of related vulnerabilities in the WebRTC ecosystem to prevent cascading security issues.