CVE-2023-3215 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2023
Use after free in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 114.0.5735.133 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 • 07/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3215 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the WebRTC implementation of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 114.0.5735.133. This issue resides in the browser's handling of WebRTC components which facilitate real-time communication capabilities including voice and video streaming directly within web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes maliciously crafted HTML pages that trigger improper memory management during WebRTC session handling. The underlying technical flaw occurs when the application frees memory associated with WebRTC objects while references to those objects remain active in the memory space, creating a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access already freed memory locations. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, specifically addressing use-after-free conditions that represent one of the most dangerous classes of memory safety flaws in software applications. The security implications extend beyond simple memory corruption as this flaw enables potential remote code execution capabilities when exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3215 presents significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple web page navigation without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Attackers can craft HTML pages containing specially constructed WebRTC elements that, when loaded in the browser, cause the application to free memory associated with WebRTC objects while maintaining active references to those locations. This creates a heap corruption condition that adversaries can potentially leverage to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system with the privileges of the browser process. The Chromium security severity classification of High reflects the potential for remote code execution and the ease of exploitation through web-based attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics aligned with the attack technique T1059.007 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting remote code execution through browser-based attack vectors. The flaw's exploitation potential increases significantly due to the widespread use of WebRTC in modern web applications and the ease with which malicious actors can distribute compromised web pages through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, and malicious advertisements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-3215 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to Chrome version 114.0.5735.133 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the use-after-free condition in WebRTC implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where users may be exposed to untrusted web content. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and content security policies to reduce exposure to malicious web pages that could exploit this vulnerability. The fix implemented by Google addresses the core memory management issue by ensuring proper reference counting and object lifecycle management within the WebRTC subsystem, preventing the premature freeing of memory objects while active references exist. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected Chrome versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. Additionally, browser hardening measures including sandboxing configurations and security feature enforcement can provide additional protective layers against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing robust security practices to protect against memory safety vulnerabilities that could lead to complete system compromise.