CVE-2018-6130 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handling of object lifetimes in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 67.0.3396.62 allowed a remote attacker to potentially perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6130 represents a critical memory safety issue within Google Chrome's WebRTC implementation that existed prior to version 67.0.3396.62. This flaw falls under the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities and specifically demonstrates improper object lifetime management within the browser's real-time communication framework. The vulnerability stems from how Chrome handles memory allocation and deallocation for WebRTC objects, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate object references beyond their intended lifespan. This type of issue typically manifests when objects are accessed after they have been freed or when memory is accessed beyond allocated boundaries, creating potential attack vectors for remote code execution or information disclosure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use of freed memory conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read scenarios. The flaw occurs within the WebRTC subsystem that enables real-time communication between browsers and external services, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that trigger specific sequences in the WebRTC object lifecycle, causing the browser to access memory locations that should no longer be valid. This improper handling of object lifetimes creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who browse the web with affected Chrome versions. The remote exploitation capability means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites without any additional interaction required. The attack surface is particularly broad given that WebRTC is widely used for video conferencing, instant messaging, and other real-time communication services that are integral to modern web applications. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities in browser components can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats, as they can be used to establish persistent access to target systems or to exfiltrate sensitive information.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and control communications, and T1078 for valid accounts and privileges. Organizations and individuals should immediately update to Chrome version 67.0.3396.62 or later to mitigate this risk. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls, restricting access to potentially malicious websites, and employing browser security extensions that can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in complex software systems and demonstrates why regular security updates are essential for maintaining system integrity. Organizations should implement robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security fixes and maintain awareness of emerging threats targeting browser components and web technologies.