CVE-2022-0790 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
Use after free in Cast UI in Google Chrome prior to 99.0.4844.51 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific user interaction to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the Cast UI component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 99.0.4844.51. The flaw occurs within the browser's implementation of chromecast functionality, where improper memory management allows for potential exploitation through crafted web content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 which addresses use-after-free conditions, making it a serious memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from how Chrome handles memory allocation and deallocation within its Cast UI subsystem. When processing specific user interactions with chromecast functionality, the application fails to properly validate memory references after objects have been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through carefully constructed HTML pages. This type of memory corruption can be particularly dangerous as it may allow attackers to bypass Chrome's security boundaries and escape the sandbox environment that typically isolates web content from system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a potential sandbox escape vector that could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges or access sensitive system information. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, which may include access to user files, network communications, and other system resources typically protected by the browser's security model. The requirement for user interaction makes this attack vector more practical in real-world scenarios, as it cannot be triggered automatically but requires specific user engagement with malicious content.
From a mitigation perspective, users should immediately update to Chrome version 99.0.4844.51 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper memory management implementations and additional validation checks. Security organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability and consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls or content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious HTML content attempting to trigger this specific memory corruption pattern. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and potentially T1070 for indicator removal on host, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code and potentially cleaning up traces of the attack.
The fix implemented by Google addresses the root cause through improved memory management practices that ensure proper reference counting and validation during Cast UI operations. This includes implementing additional checks to verify object validity before memory access attempts and strengthening the overall memory safety mechanisms within the chromecast integration component. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary chrome extensions and maintaining updated security policies to minimize attack surface exposure.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated components like chromecast functionality can present significant security risks when not properly secured against memory corruption attacks. It highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for all browser components, particularly those that interact with system resources or provide user-facing functionality that could be manipulated by malicious actors. The exploitation scenario requires specific user interaction but represents a realistic threat vector given the widespread use of chromecast functionality and the potential for social engineering attacks to convince users to engage with malicious content.