CVE-2019-5758 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect object lifecycle management in Blink in Google Chrome prior to 72.0.3626.81 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5758 represents a critical heap corruption issue within Blink, the web rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and numerous other web browsers. This flaw stems from improper object lifecycle management, a fundamental software engineering principle that governs how memory is allocated, used, and deallocated during program execution. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 72.0.3626.81, making it a significant concern for users who had not yet updated their browsers to the patched version. The issue specifically manifests when processing crafted HTML content, allowing remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems through malicious web pages.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of object references and memory deallocation within Blink's rendering engine. When Chrome processes HTML content containing maliciously crafted elements, the engine fails to properly manage the lifecycle of certain objects in memory, leading to situations where freed memory locations are accessed or overwritten. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which describes improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation, and more specifically relates to CWE-416, which addresses use after free conditions. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the memory layout of the browser process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5758 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that aligns with the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and control through web shells. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised systems, potentially using the browser as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The remote exploitation capability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. The heap corruption nature of the flaw also increases the attack surface, as it allows for various exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming and information disclosure attacks that could further compromise system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate browser updates to version 72.0.3626.81 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the object lifecycle management issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated promptly, as the vulnerability affects a widely used browser component. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious HTML content, deploying content security policies to restrict potentially dangerous scripting elements, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that may be exposed to similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices, particularly regarding memory management and object lifecycle handling. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other browser components that may present analogous risks.