CVE-2022-3046 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2022
Use after free in Browser Tag in Google Chrome prior to 105.0.5195.52 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting the browser tag implementation within Google Chrome versions prior to 105.0.5195.52. The flaw occurs when the browser tag element processes certain HTML content, creating a scenario where memory previously allocated to a browser tag object can be freed and subsequently accessed by an attacker. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the context of malicious extension installation, where an attacker must first convince a user to install a compromised extension before executing a crafted HTML page that triggers the heap corruption. This represents a sophisticated attack vector that combines social engineering with memory corruption exploitation, leveraging the browser tag's interaction with extension APIs to achieve arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's browser tag handling mechanism. When a browser tag element is created and subsequently destroyed, the underlying memory management system fails to properly track references to the freed memory region. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate the browser tag's lifecycle through malicious HTML content and extension code, leading to heap corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition under CWE-416, specifically falling under the category of improper deallocation of memory resources. The attack requires a user to install a malicious extension, which provides the necessary privileges and execution context to manipulate the browser tag element through extension APIs and subsequently trigger the memory corruption through crafted HTML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution within the Chrome browser environment with the privileges of the user. This represents a significant threat to user security since it requires only a single user interaction to install a malicious extension, followed by a visit to a crafted webpage. The exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through the execution of malicious code that can access user data, establish persistence, or escalate privileges further. The vulnerability affects all Chrome versions prior to 105.0.5195.52, making it a widespread concern across numerous user bases. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder) through potential persistence mechanisms that could be established through the executed malicious code. The attack chain follows T1595.001 (Network Intrusion Detection System) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) patterns, as it leverages a public-facing browser application to achieve remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome to version 105.0.5195.52 or later, which implements proper memory management controls and address space layout randomization. Organizations should enforce strict extension review policies, disable third-party extension installations, and implement browser security controls such as content security policies to limit the impact of compromised extensions. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious extension installations and implement network-based detection measures to identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of installing unknown extensions and visiting untrusted websites should be emphasized. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser security contexts and highlights how seemingly isolated memory corruption issues can lead to complete system compromise when combined with social engineering attacks. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities, as they represent common attack vectors that adversaries actively target in real-world scenarios.