CVE-2022-2603 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2022
Use after free in Omnibox in Google Chrome prior to 104.0.5112.79 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2603 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Omnibox component of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 104.0.5112.79. This issue resides in the browser's address bar functionality where users input URLs and receive autocomplete suggestions. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the handling of web page elements, specifically when processing crafted HTML content that triggers the Omnibox rendering mechanism. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory allocation patterns in a way that could lead to heap corruption, creating potential avenues for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic use-after-free condition where a memory region is freed from the heap but continues to be referenced by subsequent operations within the browser's rendering pipeline. When a maliciously crafted HTML page is loaded, it can trigger the Omnibox to process specific input sequences that cause the browser to free memory associated with autocomplete suggestions while simultaneously attempting to access that same memory location. This memory management error creates a situation where attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory structures or inject malicious code into the browser's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's user interface component, making it accessible through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who browse the internet regularly, as it can be exploited remotely through malicious websites without requiring user interaction beyond navigation. The exploit potential aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to initial access through malicious websites and privilege escalation through browser-based exploitation. The vulnerability affects all users running Chrome versions before the patched release, making it a widespread concern for organizations and individuals who rely on web browsing for daily operations. The heap corruption aspect of this flaw means that successful exploitation could lead to complete browser compromise, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive user data, credentials, or perform actions on behalf of the victim.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-2603 primarily involve updating to Google Chrome version 104.0.5112.79 or later, which includes memory management fixes that prevent the use-after-free condition from occurring. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content, implementing browser hardening configurations that restrict memory access patterns, and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser components and aligns with CWE-416 which catalogs use-after-free vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of browser configurations and user behavior monitoring can help detect early signs of exploitation attempts targeting this type of vulnerability.