CVE-2022-2858 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2022
Use after free in Sign-In Flow in Google Chrome prior to 104.0.5112.101 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via specific UI interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2858 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's sign-in flow functionality, affecting versions prior to 104.0.5112.101. This issue stems from improper memory management where a freed memory block is accessed after the object has been deallocated, creating a potential avenue for heap corruption that could be exploited remotely. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the user authentication process, making it particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through normal browser interaction with sign-in interfaces.
The technical flaw occurs when Chrome's sign-in flow component handles memory allocation and deallocation for UI elements related to authentication prompts. When a user interacts with the sign-in interface, the application may free memory associated with authentication objects while still maintaining references to them, leading to a situation where subsequent operations attempt to access already freed memory locations. This memory management error creates a heap corruption scenario that can result in arbitrary code execution or browser crash conditions. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free issue under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, representing one of the most common and dangerous memory safety vulnerabilities in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, as it provides remote attackers with a potential pathway for executing malicious code on affected systems. Attackers could craft specific UI interaction sequences that trigger the memory corruption, potentially leading to full system compromise when users engage with the vulnerable sign-in flow. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction with the browser's authentication interface, making it highly exploitable in phishing scenarios or when users visit malicious websites that trigger the vulnerable code path. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2858 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 104.0.5112.101 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all users are running patched versions, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy systems may be at risk. Additional defensive measures include browser hardening configurations that restrict memory access patterns and implement stricter sandboxing controls around authentication interfaces. Network security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through web traffic analysis, looking for patterns that might indicate attempts to trigger the vulnerable sign-in flow. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in web browsers and the need for continuous security testing of user interface components that handle sensitive authentication data.