CVE-2023-5186 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Use after free in Passwords in Google Chrome prior to 117.0.5938.132 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI interaction to potentially exploit heap corruption via crafted UI interaction. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5186 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome's password management system, affecting versions prior to 117.0.5938.132. This issue falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, where memory that has been freed is accessed, potentially leading to heap corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically impacts the password handling functionality within the browser's user interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through user interaction with crafted UI elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to convince a user to perform specific UI interactions that trigger the use-after-free condition. This typically involves manipulating the browser's password management interface in such a way that memory allocated for password-related data structures is freed but subsequently accessed by malicious code. The Chromium security severity classification of High indicates the potential for significant impact, as heap corruption can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks in complex browser interfaces where multiple components interact and manage memory dynamically.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5186 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This creates potential for credential theft, data exfiltration, and further compromise of the user's system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering tactics to persuade users to interact with maliciously crafted web pages or UI elements that trigger the vulnerable code path. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that password management is a frequently used browser feature, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 117.0.5938.132 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the use-after-free condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing network-based detection measures. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may attempt to leverage this vulnerability for privilege escalation and further system compromise.