CVE-2022-0096 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2022
Use after free in Storage in Google Chrome prior to 97.0.4692.71 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Google Chrome's storage subsystem that could enable remote code execution through malicious web pages. The flaw occurs when the browser's storage handling mechanism fails to properly manage memory references after objects have been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper object lifecycle management where references persist beyond the valid lifetime of allocated memory regions, allowing arbitrary data to be written to or read from freed memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability leverages the predictable nature of heap corruption to overwrite critical memory structures or function pointers within the browser's storage components. Attackers can craft specially designed html pages that trigger specific storage operations, causing the browser to free memory associated with storage objects while maintaining references to those locations. When subsequent operations attempt to access the freed memory, the attacker can control the data that gets written or read, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise as it represents a privilege escalation vector that could allow attackers to bypass the browser's security model. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface includes any web page that triggers the affected storage operations, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in modern browser architectures where multiple security boundaries must be maintained.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 97.0.4692.71 or later, which includes memory safety improvements and proper object lifecycle management. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious web content. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing, strict memory management policies, and regular security updates should be maintained. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive code review processes and automated memory safety testing as recommended by the software security community. Additionally, incident response procedures should be updated to include detection and remediation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other browser components or web applications.