CVE-2018-6090 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An integer overflow that lead to a heap buffer-overflow in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 66.0.3359.106 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6090 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Skia graphics library component of Google Chrome browser. This flaw existed in versions prior to 66.0.3359.106 and created a heap buffer overflow that could be exploited by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment. The Skia graphics library serves as a core component responsible for rendering graphics operations in Chrome, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through standard web page interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within Skia's handling of integer values during graphics processing operations. When processing specially crafted HTML content containing malicious graphics parameters, the library failed to properly check for integer overflow conditions before allocating heap memory. This oversight allowed an attacker to manipulate the size calculations used for memory allocation, resulting in a heap buffer overflow where adjacent memory regions could be overwritten or accessed maliciously. The vulnerability specifically manifested when Chrome encountered graphics elements that triggered the problematic code path in Skia's rendering engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6090 extends beyond simple remote code execution as it directly undermines the fundamental security model of modern web browsers. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected Chrome versions, would trigger the heap overflow and subsequently execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This capability bypasses the sandboxing mechanisms that normally isolate browser processes from the underlying operating system, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites without any additional interaction required from the victim.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows, and represents a classic example of how graphics rendering libraries can become attack vectors. The exploitability of this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in all code paths, particularly those handling user-supplied data. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome installations and consider implementing additional network-level protections such as web application firewalls or content filtering solutions. The remediation process involves updating to Chrome version 66.0.3359.106 or later, which includes patches addressing the integer overflow in Skia's memory allocation routines and implementing proper bounds checking to prevent the heap buffer overflow condition from occurring.