CVE-2022-2612 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2022
Side-channel information leakage in Keyboard input in Google Chrome prior to 104.0.5112.79 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical side-channel attack vector that exploited weaknesses in Google Chrome's keyboard input handling mechanisms. The flaw existed in versions prior to 104.0.5112.79 and specifically targeted the renderer process which executes web content. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by compromising a renderer process through a malicious HTML page to extract sensitive information from process memory. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of keyboard input events that inadvertently exposed memory contents through timing variations or other observable side-channel characteristics. This type of information leakage could potentially reveal cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data stored in memory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of keyboard event processing within Chrome's renderer component. When a crafted HTML page triggered specific keyboard input sequences, the browser's handling of these events created observable timing differences or memory access patterns that could be exploited by an attacker. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security boundaries where renderer processes interact with system memory, creating opportunities for information disclosure. This weakness aligns with CWE-203, which describes side-channel leakage of information, and demonstrates how seemingly benign input handling can become a security risk when proper memory isolation is not maintained.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to extract potentially sensitive data from processes that should remain isolated. An attacker who successfully compromises a renderer process can use this vulnerability to gain access to information that might otherwise be protected by Chrome's security model. The attack requires initial compromise of the renderer process, typically through a cross-site scripting attack or similar vector, but once achieved, the side-channel provides a persistent method for data extraction. This vulnerability particularly affects users who browse untrusted websites, as the malicious HTML page could be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on updating Chrome to version 104.0.5112.79 or later, which includes patches that address the memory handling issues in keyboard input processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems receive security patches promptly. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict content security policies, and monitoring for unusual keyboard event patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of process isolation and memory protection mechanisms within browser architectures, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071.004 for application layer protocols. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing measures and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in browser components and web applications.