CVE-2022-2742 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2023
Use after free in Exosphere in Google Chrome on Chrome OS and Lacros prior to 104.0.5112.79 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI interactions to potentially exploit heap corruption via crafted UI interactions. (Chrome security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2742 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Exosphere component of Google Chrome running on Chrome OS and Lacros environments. This flaw exists in versions prior to 104.0.5112.79 and demonstrates a significant security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers through carefully crafted user interface interactions. The Exosphere component serves as a crucial system interface layer that facilitates communication between the browser and underlying operating system components, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts that could escalate privileges and compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Exosphere subsystem where freed memory blocks are still being referenced or accessed by subsequent operations. This use-after-free condition occurs when the system attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated, creating a scenario where malicious code can manipulate the freed memory location to execute arbitrary instructions or corrupt system data. The flaw specifically manifests during specific UI interaction sequences that trigger the problematic memory access pattern, requiring an attacker to convince a user to perform targeted actions within the browser interface. This attack vector aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free vulnerabilities as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2742 extends beyond typical browser-based exploits due to the privileged nature of the Exosphere component and the Chrome OS environment. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges within the operating system, potentially allowing full system compromise and persistent access to user data. The high Chrome security severity rating reflects the potential for remote code execution and the critical nature of the underlying system component that is being exploited. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads that bypass standard security controls, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Chrome OS devices serve as primary computing platforms for sensitive operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2742 primarily focus on immediate system updates to versions 104.0.5112.79 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory management flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome OS and Lacros devices are updated promptly, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Additional protective measures include implementing strict user access controls, monitoring for unusual UI interaction patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintaining network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if compromise occurs. Security professionals should also consider deploying browser isolation technologies and enhanced monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure compatibility while maintaining security posture against this and related threats.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex operating system components that bridge user interface and system-level functionality, highlighting the importance of rigorous memory safety practices and continuous security auditing of privileged system components. The exploitation scenario underscores the need for comprehensive threat modeling that considers both direct browser vulnerabilities and their potential impact on underlying operating system security boundaries.