CVE-2023-0703 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2023
Type confusion in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 110.0.5481.77 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI interactions to potentially exploit heap corruption via UI interactions. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
This vulnerability represents a type confusion issue within the Developer Tools component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 110.0.5481.77. The flaw manifests as a heap corruption vulnerability that can be triggered through carefully crafted user interface interactions, making it particularly concerning for remote exploitation scenarios. Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when a program incorrectly handles data types during runtime operations, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been a primary attack vector for sophisticated cyber threats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper type checking within the DevTools framework where the application fails to properly validate data types during UI interaction processing. When a user engages in specific UI interactions within the developer tools interface, the system's type handling mechanism becomes confused, leading to memory corruption on the heap. This type confusion can be exploited by remote attackers who craft malicious web content designed to trigger these specific UI interaction sequences. The Chromium security severity classification of Medium indicates that while the vulnerability requires user interaction and specific conditions to exploit, the potential impact includes arbitrary code execution capabilities. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-466, which specifically addresses the issue of "Use of sizeof on a Pointer Type," a common pattern in type confusion exploits that can lead to heap corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution as it provides attackers with a sophisticated attack surface within the browser's developer tools environment. Since DevTools are commonly used by developers and security professionals, attackers can leverage the trust relationship that exists when users interact with these tools. The attack requires social engineering to convince users to engage in specific UI interactions, but once triggered, the heap corruption can lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently interact with developer tools or where automated testing frameworks utilize these components. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting web content that, when processed through the DevTools UI, triggers the type confusion leading to heap corruption. This makes it particularly dangerous in scenarios where developers might inadvertently visit malicious websites or where automated testing environments are compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of Chrome installations to versions 110.0.5481.77 or later where the type confusion issue has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and ensure that all user environments are maintained with current security patches. Additional protective measures include restricting access to developer tools in enterprise environments where such access is not required for legitimate business operations, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious UI interaction patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that might interact with browser developer tools. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly focusing on unusual heap corruption patterns or unexpected browser behavior that might suggest exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of engaging with untrusted UI interactions and the importance of maintaining updated browser software. Organizations may also consider implementing runtime protections or exploit prevention mechanisms that can detect and block attempts to exploit type confusion vulnerabilities in browser environments.