CVE-2023-1815 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
Use after free in Networking APIs in Google Chrome prior to 112.0.5615.49 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI interaction to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the networking application programming interfaces of google chrome browsers. The flaw exists in the chromium based browser engine that powers chrome and affects versions prior to 112.0.5615.49. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory blocks are still being referenced or accessed by subsequent operations. This particular issue falls under the category of heap corruption vulnerabilities which can lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited by remote attackers. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince users to perform specific user interface interactions on a maliciously crafted html page, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users might be tricked into visiting compromised websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the networking apis module where memory allocated for network operations is freed but not properly nullified or tracked. When subsequent code attempts to access this freed memory location, it can result in unpredictable behavior including memory corruption that attackers can potentially leverage to execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability commonly occurs when developers fail to properly manage object lifecycles or when reference counting mechanisms are not correctly implemented. The medium severity classification according to chromium security guidelines indicates that while the exploitability requires user interaction, the potential impact on system integrity is significant enough to warrant immediate attention. This vulnerability directly maps to common weakness enumeration cwes such as cwe-416 use after free and cwe-125 out of bounds read, which are fundamental memory safety issues that have plagued software systems for decades.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The requirement for specific ui interaction means that attackers must successfully perform social engineering operations to convince victims to interact with malicious content, but once the exploit is triggered, the consequences can be severe. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and may encounter malicious websites without proper security controls in place. The attack scenario typically involves a user visiting a compromised website that triggers the specific ui interaction required to activate the exploit, making it a significant concern for organizations with limited user security awareness training.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of chrome browsers to version 112.0.5615.49 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should also implement network level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary plugins and features, enabling sandboxing mechanisms, and implementing strict content security policies can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure proper incident response procedures are in place. The fix implemented by google addresses the underlying memory management issues in the networking apis and includes proper nullification of freed memory pointers to prevent subsequent access attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser engine development, as similar issues continue to be discovered in major software platforms. The attack pattern for this vulnerability aligns with typical remote code execution techniques found in the mitre attack framework under techniques such as initial access through malicious websites and execution through compromised browser components.