CVE-2018-18341 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An integer overflow leading to a heap buffer overflow in Blink 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-2018-18341 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Blink rendering engine of Google Chrome that precedes version 71.0.3578.80. This flaw exists in the memory management subsystem where improper handling of integer values during buffer allocation creates conditions that can lead to heap corruption. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes crafted HTML content that triggers an arithmetic overflow in integer calculations used for memory allocation decisions. Such overflow conditions occur when mathematical operations exceed the maximum representable value for the integer type, causing the value to wrap around to a much smaller number. This misbehavior directly impacts the heap allocation logic where the system attempts to reserve memory blocks based on these corrupted integer values, ultimately leading to a heap buffer overflow scenario.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft a malicious HTML page that specifically triggers the integer overflow condition within Blink's memory management routines. The attacker's payload must carefully construct input data that, when processed by the browser engine, causes integer arithmetic to overflow and subsequently allocates insufficient memory for buffer operations. This exploitation technique leverages the fundamental flaw in integer overflow handling where the system does not properly validate or clamp integer values before using them for memory allocation decisions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses conditions where integer arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value representable by the data type. The heap buffer overflow that results from this condition can potentially allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, corrupt heap metadata, or even execute arbitrary code through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18341 extends beyond simple browser instability or crashes, as it provides potential for remote code execution in the context of the victim's browser process. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to bypass security boundaries that normally protect system resources, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or full system compromise depending on the execution environment. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website or viewing a crafted email with embedded HTML content. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper integer overflow checking in memory management systems, as even seemingly benign operations can lead to severe security consequences. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates within the standard web browsing context, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond normal web page loading behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18341 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 71.0.3578.80 and later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow condition in Blink's memory allocation routines. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as this vulnerability affects a broad user base including enterprise environments and individual users. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious HTML content, though these should not be considered primary defenses given the nature of the vulnerability. Browser hardening techniques such as address space layout randomization and heap protection mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense, though they may not prevent exploitation entirely. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network traffic patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper error handling in memory management systems, emphasizing that all integer operations involving memory allocation should include overflow detection and proper bounds checking as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's system security research and exploitation techniques.