CVE-2018-18339 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect object lifecycle in WebAudio 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-2018-18339 represents a critical heap corruption issue within the WebAudio API implementation of Google Chrome browsers prior to version 71.0.3578.80. This flaw resides in the object lifecycle management mechanisms that govern how audio processing nodes are created, manipulated, and ultimately destroyed within the browser's audio rendering pipeline. The issue manifests when malicious actors craft specific HTML pages that trigger improper memory management during audio processing operations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and handling of object references within the WebAudio API's internal memory structures, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory layout through carefully constructed audio processing sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the WebAudio API's object management system to induce heap corruption. Attackers craft HTML documents containing malicious audio processing nodes that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, cause improper memory deallocation or reuse of audio processing objects. This mismanagement creates memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised browser process. The flaw specifically affects the lifecycle management of audio nodes within the WebAudio API, where objects may be prematurely destroyed while still referenced by other components, or conversely, where objects remain allocated in memory while their references are cleared, leading to exploitable heap conditions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, though it manifests more specifically as a heap corruption issue due to improper object lifecycle management.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18339 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to escalate privileges and execute malicious payloads on target systems. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's sandboxed environment, where the WebAudio API is commonly used for legitimate multimedia applications, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious usage patterns. The attack surface is broad since WebAudio APIs are frequently used in web applications, making the exploitation vector highly accessible. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform actions such as reading sensitive data, modifying browser behavior, or establishing persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071.004 for application layer protocol, as it allows for code execution through web-based attack vectors and can be leveraged for further lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18339 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 71.0.3578.80 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the heap corruption issues in the WebAudio API. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly given the remote exploitation capabilities of this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content, deploying browser hardening configurations that restrict WebAudio API usage, and establishing network monitoring systems to detect anomalous audio processing behavior. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing measures for browser processes and maintaining detailed monitoring of browser memory usage patterns to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser APIs and the necessity of thorough security testing for complex multimedia frameworks. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on browser-based attack surfaces and implement security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious web content that could exploit such vulnerabilities.