CVE-2018-18343 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handing of paths leading to a use after free 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-2018-18343 represents a critical heap corruption issue within the Skia graphics library component of Google Chrome browser. This flaw manifests as improper path handling that ultimately leads to a use-after-free condition, creating a significant security risk for users of affected Chrome versions. The vulnerability resides in the Skia graphics engine which is responsible for rendering graphical elements in web browsers and is widely used across various Google products. The issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80, making it a targeted concern for organizations maintaining older browser installations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted HTML page that triggers an incorrect path handling mechanism within the Skia library. When processing maliciously constructed web content, the system fails to properly manage memory references, leading to a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated. This use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities where memory is accessed after it has been freed, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Chrome process. This capability allows threat actors to potentially escalate their access within compromised environments, establish persistent backdoors, or perform further reconnaissance activities. The remote nature of the attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website or viewing compromised web content without any user interaction beyond normal browsing. Organizations running affected Chrome versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18343 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 71.0.3578.80 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the path handling and memory management issues. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly across their enterprise environments. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious web traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software up to date, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how outdated software can create persistent security risks that require immediate attention.