CVE-2018-17465 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect implementation of object trimming in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 70.0.3538.67 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit object corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17465 represents a critical flaw in the V8 JavaScript engine used within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 70.0.3538.67. This issue stems from an incorrect implementation of object trimming functionality that creates opportunities for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the memory management operations within the V8 engine's garbage collection mechanisms, where improper handling of object trimming can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper management of JavaScript object references during memory cleanup operations. When the V8 engine attempts to trim objects that are no longer referenced, the implementation contains a logic error that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and object references in ways that were not intended by the original design. This misimplementation creates a condition where an attacker can control the memory layout of objects and potentially overwrite critical memory regions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it specifically operates within the heap memory management context of the V8 engine. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the object trimming process to create controlled memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network security measures. Attackers can craft HTML pages that trigger the vulnerable code path during normal JavaScript execution, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it operates at the JavaScript engine level, meaning that successful exploitation can bypass many application-level security controls and operating system protections. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to conduct large-scale attacks or deliver malware through web-based delivery mechanisms.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17465 primarily involve updating to Google Chrome version 70.0.3538.67 or later, which contains the patched implementation of object trimming functionality. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as enabling sandboxing features, using content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to reduce the attack surface. Browser security updates should be prioritized and deployed immediately upon release, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Network administrators should consider implementing browser hardening techniques and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and with T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how memory corruption vulnerabilities in browser engines can be leveraged for broader compromise operations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Chrome and ensure timely patch deployment.