CVE-2022-3889 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2022
Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 107.0.5304.106 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical type confusion issue within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. The flaw exists in how the engine handles object type transitions and memory management during JavaScript execution, creating a scenario where the runtime incorrectly interprets the data type of objects stored in memory. Such type confusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution when the attacker can manipulate the runtime into treating memory as if it contains different data types than what it actually contains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient type checking mechanisms within V8's optimization pipeline. When the JavaScript engine performs Just-In-Time compilation and optimization, it makes assumptions about object types based on previous execution patterns. In this specific case, the engine fails to properly validate type transitions, allowing malicious code to manipulate object layouts in memory. This creates opportunities for heap corruption where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory structures or function pointers, ultimately leading to potential remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and affects users across all supported platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems. Attackers can exploit this through crafted HTML pages delivered via phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised web applications. The remote nature of the attack means users need only visit a malicious webpage to be vulnerable, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The Chromium security severity rating of High reflects the ease of exploitation and potential for privilege escalation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-468, which describes "Incorrect Pointer Scaling" and CWE-476, which covers "NULL Pointer Dereference" in the context of type confusion attacks. The attack pattern follows techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution and T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The exploitation typically involves creating specific JavaScript objects that trigger the optimization path, followed by controlled memory manipulation to achieve the type confusion state.
Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of Chrome version 107.0.5304.106 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the type confusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and content security policies to limit exposure to malicious web content. Browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict sandboxing, and using automatic updates can provide additional defense layers. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to quickly deploy security updates across enterprise environments.