CVE-2018-6155 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handling of frames in the VP8 parser in Google Chrome prior to 68.0.3440.75 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted video file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6155 represents a critical heap corruption issue within the VP8 video parser component of Google Chrome browsers. This flaw exists in versions prior to 68.0.3440.75 and demonstrates how improper frame handling during video decoding can lead to severe memory safety violations. The VP8 codec parser is responsible for processing video content encoded using the VP8 compression standard, which is widely used in web applications including video streaming services and real-time communication platforms. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Chrome processes maliciously crafted video files that contain malformed frame data, creating conditions where the parser fails to properly validate or handle frame boundaries and structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated heap corruption attack vector that leverages the improper memory management within the VP8 parser. When Chrome encounters a specially crafted video file, the parser's frame handling logic fails to properly validate frame headers and metadata, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical heap structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it manifests as heap corruption due to the nature of the memory management patterns involved in video frame processing. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based content delivery, making it particularly dangerous as users can be compromised simply by viewing malicious video content in their browsers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to end users and organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser for web-based activities. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can compromise systems without requiring any local interaction from the user beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a crafted video file. The heap corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit for client execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised browser processes. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential enterprise-wide security breaches when users access compromised websites or download malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6155 require immediate browser updates to version 68.0.3440.75 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper frame validation and heap memory management. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies ensuring all Chrome installations are updated promptly, as this vulnerability affects all supported operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious video content, deploying browser security extensions that enhance sandboxing capabilities, and establishing network monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites or downloading unknown video content. The fix implemented by Google addresses the root cause by strengthening input validation mechanisms within the VP8 parser and implementing proper bounds checking for frame data processing, thereby preventing the heap corruption conditions that enabled exploitation.