CVE-2022-4918 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2023
Use after free in UI in Google Chrome prior to 102.0.5005.61 allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the user interface component of google chrome affecting versions prior to 102.0.5005.61. The flaw occurs when the browser processes maliciously crafted html content that triggers improper memory management during ui rendering operations. The vulnerability is classified as a medium severity issue by chromium security team but carries significant risk due to its remote exploitation potential and the arbitrary read/write capabilities it provides to attackers. The use-after-free condition arises when chrome attempts to access memory that has already been freed during the ui rendering process, creating a scenario where malicious code can manipulate memory contents to achieve unauthorized operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of CWE-416 which specifically addresses use after free conditions in memory management. The attack vector involves a remote attacker who can craft a malicious html page designed to trigger the vulnerable code path during page rendering, potentially allowing for memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary read/write operations within the browser process memory space. This capability allows for sophisticated exploitation techniques including data exfiltration, process manipulation, and potential privilege escalation to the victim's system level. The vulnerability affects the browser's ui rendering engine which handles various html elements and javascript interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal browsing activities. Attackers can craft html pages containing specific javascript code or dom manipulations that force chrome to execute the vulnerable code path, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for further malicious activities. The arbitrary read/write capabilities make this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to modify critical memory locations including process structures, function pointers, or other security-relevant data that could be used to bypass security controls or execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 102.0.5005.61 or later where the memory management issues have been addressed. organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all chrome installations are updated promptly. additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, using sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious html content. the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser security and highlights how seemingly minor memory handling issues can lead to significant security risks. security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. organizations may want to consider additional browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary ui features, restricting javascript capabilities, and implementing strict access controls for browser processes. the incident underscores the necessity of continuous security testing and code review processes to identify and address memory management vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity frameworks becomes critical when managing browser-based security risks.