CVE-2019-5824 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Parameter passing error in media in Google Chrome prior to 74.0.3729.131 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5824 represents a critical heap corruption issue within Google Chrome's media processing component that existed prior to version 74.0.3729.131. This flaw stems from improper parameter handling during media element processing, creating a potential attack vector for remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects how Chrome handles media parameters when rendering crafted HTML content, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where adversaries can leverage malicious web pages to exploit the underlying memory corruption.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation and handling of parameters passed to media processing functions within Chrome's rendering engine. When processing malicious HTML content containing crafted media parameters, the browser fails to properly validate input boundaries and memory allocation parameters. This parameter passing error creates conditions where heap memory can be corrupted through controlled input manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or manipulate heap metadata. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation, where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to craft inputs that trigger unintended memory behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who browse the internet without proper security updates. Attackers can exploit this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that contain specially crafted HTML media elements designed to trigger the parameter passing error. The remote exploitation capability means users do not need to download or execute additional malicious files, as the vulnerability can be triggered simply through visiting a compromised website. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and the exploitation risk high, as users may encounter such malicious content through various online activities including legitimate websites that have been compromised or through targeted phishing campaigns.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web applications. Organizations and individuals face potential risks including unauthorized code execution, data theft, and system compromise when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The heap corruption nature of the flaw means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system control, making it a high-priority security concern for all Chrome users. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor parameter handling issues in complex software can create significant security risks when combined with the sophisticated attack capabilities available to modern threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5824 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to Chrome version 74.0.3729.131 or later. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, deploying browser security extensions, and maintaining network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through network-level controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may still be running vulnerable versions of Chrome, as the attack surface remains significant for unpatched environments.