CVE-2023-4075 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2023
Use after free in Cast in Google Chrome prior to 115.0.5790.170 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 • 08/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4075 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's casting functionality, affecting versions prior to 115.0.5790.170. This security issue resides in the chromium project's codebase and demonstrates a fundamental memory management error that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's handling of cast operations, which are used to stream media content to external devices such as smart TVs and chromecast devices. The flaw occurs when the browser improperly manages memory references after objects have been freed from the heap, creating opportunities for malicious code execution through carefully crafted web pages. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed. In this case, the heap corruption stems from improper object lifecycle management within Chrome's casting implementation. The attacker can manipulate the browser's memory state by constructing a malicious HTML page that triggers the casting functionality in a way that causes objects to be freed while still being referenced elsewhere in the code. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations can overwrite the freed memory location with attacker-controlled data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The Chromium security severity classification of High indicates the vulnerability's potential for serious impact and the relatively straightforward nature of exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4075 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain persistent access to affected systems through browser-based attacks. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that casting functionality is commonly used and accessible through standard web pages, making exploitation relatively easy for threat actors. This vulnerability can be leveraged in phishing campaigns, drive-by download attacks, or as part of broader attack chains where initial access is gained through web-based delivery mechanisms. The exploitation typically requires no user interaction beyond visiting the malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such pages through legitimate browsing activities or social engineering.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4075 primarily focus on immediate software updates to the latest Chrome versions that contain the patched implementation. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected systems and implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary casting functionality where possible. Network-based defenses can include web application firewalls that monitor for suspicious HTML content patterns associated with known exploitation techniques, though these measures are not foolproof against zero-day exploits. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the potential for automatic exploitation through browser-based attacks. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts or command and control communications can help detect compromise attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving initial access through web-based attacks and privilege escalation through browser exploitation, making comprehensive security monitoring essential for organizations that have not yet updated their Chrome installations.