CVE-2022-1485 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2022
Use after free in File System API in Google Chrome prior to 101.0.4951.41 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
This vulnerability represents a use-after-free condition within the file system API implementation of google chrome browser affecting versions prior to 101.0.4951.41. The flaw occurs when the browser processes crafted html content that triggers improper memory management during file system operations, specifically involving the interaction between javascript file system apis and underlying c++ code. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free error which falls under common weakness enumeration cwecwe-416 and can be mapped to attack technique t1059001 in the att&ck framework where adversaries leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code.
The technical implementation involves memory objects that are freed from the heap but still referenced by subsequent operations within the file system api. When a malicious html page triggers specific file system operations, the browser's javascript engine interacts with native c++ code through the file system api interface. During this process, if certain conditions are met, the underlying memory allocated for file system objects gets deallocated while still being accessed by other parts of the system. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the heap state to overwrite critical data structures or execute malicious code in the context of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote code execution without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks. An attacker could craft a malicious webpage that when loaded in chrome would trigger the use-after-free condition and potentially achieve code execution with the privileges of the chrome browser process. This could enable attackers to access sensitive user data, perform man-in-the-middle attacks on file system operations, or escalate privileges within the operating system context.
Mitigation strategies include updating to google chrome version 101.0.4951.41 or later where the use-after-free vulnerability has been patched through proper memory management practices. Organizations should also implement browser hardening techniques such as sandboxing, strict content security policies, and regular security updates to minimize exposure. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious file system api usage patterns and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability. The patch addresses the root cause by ensuring proper reference counting and memory lifecycle management within the file system api implementation, preventing the conditions that lead to heap corruption through use-after-free scenarios.