CVE-2023-4353 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2023
Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 116.0.5845.96 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 • 04/24/2025
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4353 resides within the ANGLE graphics library component of Google Chrome, representing a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 116.0.5845.96. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, where improper bounds checking in the ANGLE implementation creates opportunities for malicious code execution. The issue manifests when Chrome processes crafted HTML content that triggers specific graphics operations, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security team due to its potential for remote code execution and the ease with which it can be triggered through web-based attacks.
The technical flaw occurs within the heap memory management system of ANGLE's graphics processing pipeline where buffer overflow conditions can be induced through malformed HTML content. When Chrome renders graphics-intensive web pages, the ANGLE library handles the underlying graphics operations using heap-allocated memory buffers. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of buffer boundaries during graphics command processing, allowing attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions. This heap corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, memory disclosure, or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous in the context of browser-based attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, as the attack vector is entirely contained within the browser's rendering engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4353 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it represents a sophisticated attack surface that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats. Attackers can craft HTML pages that trigger the buffer overflow condition through graphics APIs, potentially leading to full system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments and general web users. Security researchers have noted that this type of heap-based vulnerability often serves as a foundation for more complex attack chains, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow provides insight into the fundamental memory management issues that must be addressed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4353 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to versions 116.0.5845.96 or later where the heap buffer overflow has been resolved. Organizations should prioritize updating their Chrome installations across all affected systems, particularly those running older versions that may be exposed to targeted attacks. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious HTML content, enabling sandboxing features within the browser, and monitoring for anomalous graphics rendering behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying exploit prevention mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in ANGLE also underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing for graphics libraries and rendering engines, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for exploit kits or malware that specifically target this vulnerability.