CVE-2022-4452 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2023
Insufficient data validation in crosvm in Google Chrome prior to 107.0.5304.62 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit object corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4452 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome's crosvm component, which serves as a virtual machine monitor for sandboxed environments. This issue stems from insufficient data validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize input received from web pages, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate system memory structures. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 107.0.5304.62 and has been classified with a high severity rating by the Chromium security team, indicating its potential for significant impact in real-world exploitation scenarios.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of data structures within the crosvm subsystem, which is responsible for managing virtual machine instances that Chrome uses for process isolation. When a malicious HTML page is rendered, the insufficient validation allows attackers to craft specific payloads that can corrupt object memory layouts within the virtual machine environment. This object corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution within the sandboxed context, bypassing traditional security boundaries that Chrome employs to isolate web content from the underlying operating system. The flaw demonstrates a classic insufficient validation weakness that aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software security architectures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it compromises the fundamental security model that Chrome implements through its sandboxing architecture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code within the virtualized environment where Chrome processes operate, potentially escalating privileges or gaining access to sensitive system resources. The remote nature of the attack means that simply visiting a compromised website could trigger the exploitation sequence, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. This vulnerability undermines the security assurances provided by Chrome's multi-process architecture and could enable attackers to circumvent the isolation mechanisms designed to prevent cross-site contamination.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4452 primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions that contain the necessary patches addressing the data validation deficiencies. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome installations to version 107.0.5304.62 or later, as these releases include fixes that strengthen input validation mechanisms within the crosvm component. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious HTML content patterns associated with known exploitation techniques. Additionally, browser hardening measures including enhanced sandbox configurations and strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and sandbox evasion, making it particularly concerning for environments where comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities are essential for maintaining security postures.