CVE-2018-17466 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect texture handling in Angle in Google Chrome prior to 70.0.3538.67 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 • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17466 represents a critical memory safety issue within the Angle graphics library implementation in Google Chrome browsers. This flaw exists in the texture handling mechanisms that are part of the Graphics Processing Unit acceleration framework. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Chrome processes specially crafted HTML pages that contain malicious texture data, allowing remote attackers to execute unauthorized memory reads beyond the bounds of allocated memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of buffer over-read conditions that can potentially lead to information disclosure or further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the Angle library's texture processing code. When Chrome renders web content that includes complex graphics or WebGL elements, it relies on Angle to translate OpenGL commands into DirectX operations on Windows platforms. The flaw occurs during texture coordinate processing where the application fails to properly validate the size and boundaries of texture data structures. This oversight allows attackers to craft HTML pages containing malformed texture coordinates that trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses situations where programs access memory beyond the allocated boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to web application security and user privacy. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to perform out-of-bounds memory reads that may expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. The attack vector requires only a user to visit a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability impacts all versions of Chrome prior to 70.0.3538.67, representing a substantial attack surface given the browser's widespread usage. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell and T1566.001: Phishing - Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers would typically deliver malicious web content through compromised websites or spearphishing campaigns.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-17466 involves immediate browser updates to versions 70.0.3538.67 or later where the underlying texture handling code has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and ensure all endpoints are running patched versions. Additionally, network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious web content. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection signatures specifically targeting this vulnerability. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking for texture coordinate processing and adding additional validation layers to prevent memory access violations. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that all systems have been properly updated and that no legacy installations remain vulnerable to this or similar graphics processing vulnerabilities.