CVE-2022-2620 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2022
Use after free in WebUI in Google Chrome on Chrome OS prior to 104.0.5112.79 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific user interactions to potentially exploit heap corruption via specific UI interactions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the WebUI component of Google Chrome running on Chrome OS systems. The flaw occurs within the memory management subsystem where freed memory blocks are still being accessed by subsequent operations, creating a potential pathway for heap corruption. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome OS versions prior to 104.0.5112.79, indicating that the issue was present in the browser's user interface handling mechanisms. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to convince a user to perform specific user interactions, making this a sophisticated social engineering challenge that leverages user trust and engagement. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebUI component in Chrome OS handles various graphical interface elements and user interaction responses, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating UI interactions to trigger a sequence where memory allocated to WebUI components is freed but subsequently accessed by the application logic. This creates a scenario where attackers can potentially control the execution flow of the browser process through heap-based memory corruption. The specific nature of the UI interactions required suggests that the flaw manifests when handling certain user events or interface elements within the Chrome OS environment. The heap corruption aspect indicates that the freed memory could be reallocated and modified by the attacker, potentially allowing for code injection or privilege escalation within the browser sandbox. This vulnerability demonstrates how user interface components in modern browsers can become attack surfaces when proper memory management controls are not adequately implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, as it could enable remote code execution within the Chrome OS environment. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Chrome process, which could lead to full system compromise given the privileged nature of Chrome OS components. The requirement for user interaction makes this a targeted attack vector rather than a widespread exploit, but the potential for significant damage remains high. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and could be particularly dangerous in environments where Chrome OS is used for sensitive operations or enterprise applications. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of the ATT&CK framework, where it would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection within browser processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of Chrome OS systems to version 104.0.5112.79 or later, which would contain the memory management fixes necessary to prevent the use-after-free condition. Organizations should implement proactive monitoring for any suspicious user interactions that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those involving UI elements that could trigger the vulnerable code paths. Network security teams should consider implementing behavioral analysis tools that can detect anomalous memory access patterns or heap corruption indicators. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing enhancements and stricter memory management controls should be reviewed and implemented where possible. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in browser environments and the need for continuous security testing of user interface components. Regular security assessments of WebUI implementations and comprehensive code reviews focusing on memory management practices would help prevent similar issues in future development cycles.