CVE-2019-5841 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Out of bounds memory access in JavaScript in Google Chrome prior to 75.0.3770.80 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5841 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within Google Chrome's JavaScript engine, specifically affecting versions prior to 75.0.3770.80. This issue stems from improper memory management during JavaScript execution, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content. The flaw resides in the browser's handling of memory allocation and access patterns when processing JavaScript objects, particularly impacting the heap memory structure where dynamic memory is managed during runtime operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Chrome processes specific JavaScript constructs that trigger improper memory access beyond allocated boundaries. This heap corruption vulnerability manifests when the browser's JavaScript engine attempts to access memory locations that are either unallocated or not properly managed by the memory allocator. The flaw can be exploited by delivering a malicious HTML page containing crafted JavaScript code that manipulates object properties and memory references in ways that bypass normal memory safety checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-Bounds Read classification, which specifically addresses memory access violations where programs read from memory locations beyond the intended boundaries of allocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5841 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. The remote exploitation capability makes this particularly dangerous as users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website or clicking on a link containing the malicious content. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to victim systems, making it a significant threat vector in the current threat landscape.
Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1070.004 for bypassing security controls. The exploitation process typically involves crafting HTML pages with specific JavaScript objects that trigger the memory corruption when processed by Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The remediation strategy includes updating to Chrome version 75.0.3770.80 or later, which incorporates memory safety improvements and enhanced bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection while waiting for full patch deployment across enterprise environments.