CVE-2023-3732 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2023
Out of bounds memory access in Mojo in Google Chrome prior to 115.0.5790.98 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3732 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the Mojo framework component of Google Chrome browser. This issue affects versions prior to 115.0.5790.98 and constitutes a high-severity security concern that could enable remote code execution under specific conditions. The vulnerability specifically resides in how Mojo handles memory operations during renderer process execution, creating potential pathways for attackers to exploit heap corruption vulnerabilities.
Mojo serves as Google's component framework designed to facilitate efficient communication between different browser processes while maintaining security boundaries. The flaw manifests when the renderer process encounters crafted HTML content that triggers improper memory handling within Mojo's memory management subsystem. This out-of-bounds access occurs during the processing of maliciously constructed web content, allowing an attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to potentially manipulate heap memory structures. The vulnerability's classification as high severity stems from its potential to enable arbitrary code execution when combined with other attack vectors or when exploited in conjunction with additional browser vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3732 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate heap metadata and potentially overwrite critical memory regions. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised renderer process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack requires an initial compromise of the renderer process, which can occur through various means such as drive-by downloads, phishing attacks, or exploitation of other browser vulnerabilities. The heap corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under attack technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety mechanisms in modern browser architectures and highlights the risks associated with complex component frameworks like Mojo. The issue is classified under CWE-125 as Out-of-bounds Read, though the actual exploitation leads to heap corruption rather than simple read operations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a sophisticated attack chain that begins with renderer compromise and leverages the memory corruption to achieve further system compromise. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones in advanced persistent threat campaigns, where attackers use initial footholds to establish more persistent access.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-3732 involves immediate deployment of Chrome version 115.0.5790.98 or later, which includes patches addressing the heap corruption vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize updating their browser installations and implement additional security measures such as content security policies, sandboxing configurations, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict security headers, and maintaining updated security tooling can further reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of continuous security monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Given the high severity classification and the potential for remote code execution, security teams should conduct immediate risk assessments and implement appropriate controls to protect their environments from potential exploitation.