CVE-2022-1308 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2022
Use after free in BFCache in Google Chrome prior to 100.0.4896.88 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Browser Framework Cache mechanism of google chrome browsers version prior to 100.0.4896.88. The issue stems from improper memory management during the caching process where freed memory blocks are still being referenced or accessed by subsequent operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in software implementations. When a page is cached in the background framework cache, certain objects may be prematurely deallocated while references to them persist within the browser's internal structures.
The exploitation scenario involves a remote attacker crafting a malicious html page that triggers specific conditions leading to the use-after-free vulnerability. This typically occurs when javascript or other web content interacts with objects that have been removed from memory but are still referenced in the cache system. The heap corruption resulting from this flaw can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a severe security risk as it bypasses normal sandboxing mechanisms and can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact extends beyond simple remote code execution as this vulnerability affects the fundamental stability and security model of the browser itself. Modern browsers rely heavily on caching mechanisms to improve performance while maintaining security boundaries, but when these systems fail to properly manage object lifecycles, they create attack vectors that can be leveraged across multiple threat scenarios. The flaw particularly impacts the browser's ability to maintain secure memory isolation between different web contexts and can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive data from other browsing sessions.
Mitigation strategies require immediate patching of affected chrome versions to 100.0.4896.88 or later where the memory management issues within the BFCache have been addressed through improved object lifecycle tracking and proper deallocation procedures. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as content security policies and web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious html content patterns associated with this class of vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include enabling browser security features like sandboxing, strict mixed-content controls, and regular updates to ensure all memory management components remain current with security patches.
This vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures where seemingly minor memory management issues can create significant attack surface. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such flaws under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution and potentially T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary features, restricting javascript capabilities, and monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The incident highlights the importance of continuous security testing and vulnerability assessment in complex software environments where multiple layers of security must work together to prevent exploitation of low-level memory corruption flaws.