CVE-2021-30573 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2021
Use after free in GPU in Google Chrome prior to 92.0.4515.107 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-30573 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the graphics processing unit component of Google Chrome browser. This issue affects versions prior to 92.0.4515.107 and demonstrates how memory management errors in graphics rendering can create significant security risks. The vulnerability specifically resides in the GPU process handling of memory allocation and deallocation, where improper memory management allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code through malicious web content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's GPU subsystem, where a freed memory block is accessed after it has been deallocated from the heap. This use-after-free condition occurs when the browser's graphics processing component fails to properly track memory references, allowing an attacker to manipulate the heap state through crafted HTML content. The flaw manifests when the GPU process handles certain graphics operations that involve memory allocation followed by premature deallocation without proper nullification of pointers, creating opportunities for heap corruption.
When exploited, this vulnerability enables remote code execution through a crafted HTML page that triggers the specific memory management error. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing malicious web content that forces the browser to execute graphics operations that will cause the freed memory to be reallocated and subsequently accessed improperly. The remote exploitation capability means that victims need only visit a compromised webpage to be vulnerable, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-30573 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a full remote code execution vulnerability that could allow attackers to completely compromise user systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management, and demonstrates how graphics processing components can serve as attack surfaces for heap-based exploits. The attack vector operates through the browser's rendering engine and GPU process, making it particularly challenging to defend against as it requires comprehensive memory management validation throughout the graphics pipeline.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, as this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild. The remediation process involves updating to Chrome version 92.0.4515.107 or later, which includes memory management fixes that properly track GPU memory allocations and prevent the use-after-free condition. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms should be enabled to reduce the potential impact of any remaining vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement web filtering solutions and user education to reduce exposure to malicious web content that could exploit this vulnerability.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of memory safety in graphics processing components and demonstrates how seemingly isolated memory management issues can result in complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection through memory corruption, and organizations should implement defensive measures including regular browser updates, network monitoring for suspicious web traffic, and endpoint protection that can detect anomalous memory access patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that graphics processing units within modern browsers represent significant attack surfaces that require rigorous security testing and validation.