CVE-2018-18335 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Heap buffer overflow in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 71.0.3578.80 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18335 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the Skia graphics library component that forms part of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80 and demonstrates how memory corruption vulnerabilities in core graphics libraries can provide attackers with powerful exploitation vectors. The flaw resides in the Skia graphics library's handling of certain HTML elements, specifically those involving complex rendering operations that manipulate heap memory structures. The vulnerability's classification as a heap buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTML page that triggers specific rendering scenarios within the Skia library. During normal browser operation, Chrome's rendering engine processes HTML content through various stages including parsing, DOM construction, and ultimately graphics rendering. The heap buffer overflow manifests when Skia attempts to process certain graphical elements or CSS properties that cause memory allocation patterns to be manipulated in ways that exceed buffer boundaries. The attacker can potentially control the overflow data and leverage this to overwrite adjacent heap memory locations, leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation often involves crafting malicious content that executes within the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for achieving remote code execution on affected systems. Since the vulnerability operates through the browser's normal rendering pipeline, it can be exploited simply by visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. The heap corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data corruption, or more severe exploitation outcomes where attackers can inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used browser component and can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. The exploitation chain typically involves memory corruption that can be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation or further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18335 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 71.0.3578.80 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the heap buffer overflow in Skia. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include browser hardening configurations such as enabling sandboxing features, restricting browser privileges, and implementing content security policies to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious content targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify systems running outdated Chrome versions and ensure proper remediation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and highlights the critical nature of graphics library security in modern browser architectures.