CVE-2019-5807 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Object lifetime issue in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 74.0.3729.108 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5807 represents a critical object lifetime management flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome. This issue stems from improper handling of object references and memory management during the execution of JavaScript code, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate object lifecycles to trigger heap corruption. The vulnerability exists in versions of Chrome prior to 74.0.3729.108, making it a significant concern for users running outdated browser versions. The flaw specifically manifests when the JavaScript engine fails to properly manage the lifecycle of objects in memory, leading to situations where freed memory regions may be accessed or overwritten by subsequent operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTML pages that leverage JavaScript code to manipulate object references in ways that violate normal memory management protocols. Attackers can construct malicious web content that triggers the V8 engine to perform operations on objects that have already been deallocated or are in the process of being reclaimed by the garbage collector. This creates a scenario where memory corruption can occur at the heap level, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and JavaScript engine implementation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments and individual users alike, as it enables remote code execution through web-based attacks. The exploitability of CVE-2019-5807 is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it a prime target for drive-by attacks. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-415, which deals with double free errors in memory management, and it aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation through browser exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Chrome version 74.0.3729.108 or later, which includes patches addressing the object lifetime management issues in V8. Additionally, implementing network-level security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and employing sandboxing techniques. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for organizations to maintain robust patch management processes to protect against similar memory safety issues in browser engines and other software components.