CVE-2019-5844 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Out of bounds access in SwiftShader in Google Chrome prior to 73.0.3683.75 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-5844 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within SwiftShader, the software-based graphics rendering component integrated into Google Chrome browsers. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 73.0.3683.75 and enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted HTML pages that trigger heap corruption during graphics processing operations. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within SwiftShader's implementation of graphics rendering functions that handle 3D graphics operations typically processed through WebGL or other graphics APIs. When a victim visits a compromised webpage containing specially crafted graphics elements, the browser's rendering engine attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. This flaw operates at the intersection of graphics processing and memory safety, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves SwiftShader's handling of graphics command sequences and buffer management during rendering operations. Specifically, the flaw occurs when the software renderer processes certain WebGL commands or HTML5 canvas operations that involve array indexing or memory allocation patterns where bounds validation is insufficient. The out-of-bounds access typically manifests when the renderer attempts to process graphics data structures that exceed their intended memory allocation, causing heap corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, particularly when the exploitation involves web-based scripting contexts that trigger the vulnerable rendering path. The heap corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code within the browser's memory space.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5844 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a remote code execution vector that can be leveraged across multiple operating systems where Chrome is deployed. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it suitable for drive-by download attacks or watering hole campaigns. The exploitation can potentially lead to full system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities, as attackers can leverage the heap corruption to escalate privileges or inject malicious payloads into the browser process. The vulnerability affects all platforms where Chrome is supported, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems, making it a widespread concern for enterprise security teams. Organizations running older versions of Chrome are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5844 primarily focus on immediate software updates to Chrome version 73.0.3683.75 or later, which contain patches that address the bounds checking issues in SwiftShader's graphics rendering implementation. Security administrators should prioritize patching all affected systems and implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary graphics features, restricting access to potentially malicious websites through content filtering solutions, and monitoring for exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content patterns associated with this vulnerability, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potentially vulnerable systems. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated remote exploitation techniques that target graphics rendering components.