CVE-2022-2415 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2022
Heap buffer overflow in WebGL in Google Chrome prior to 103.0.5060.53 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2022
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability in WebGL within Google Chrome represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution through malicious web content. This vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 103.0.5060.53 and specifically targets the WebGL graphics rendering subsystem. The flaw manifests when processing crafted HTML pages that contain malicious WebGL operations, potentially allowing attackers to corrupt heap memory and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during WebGL buffer operations, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves WebGL's handling of buffer objects and memory allocation patterns within the browser's graphics processing pipeline. When Chrome processes WebGL commands from malicious web pages, it fails to properly validate buffer sizes and memory boundaries, leading to heap corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. The flaw operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this heap overflow to manipulate memory contents and potentially gain control over the entire browser process, which may then be used to escalate privileges to the user level or even system level depending on the execution environment. The attack vector requires only a malicious webpage to be loaded in Chrome, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios where users frequently browse the internet. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how such memory corruption flaws can be leveraged for broader attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome to version 103.0.5060.53 or later, as this update includes proper bounds checking and memory validation for WebGL operations. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling WebGL when not required, using security extensions, and maintaining up-to-date browser versions through automated patch management systems. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering can help prevent access to known malicious websites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in graphics rendering libraries, as WebGL operations are increasingly common in modern web applications. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper incident response procedures to handle potential compromise scenarios. This vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics APIs and rendering engines to prevent similar heap-based buffer overflows in other browser components and applications.