CVE-2023-5472 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Use after free in Profiles in Google Chrome prior to 118.0.5993.117 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 • 11/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5472 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's Profiles component that existed prior to version 118.0.5993.117. This flaw falls under the broader category of memory safety issues and specifically manifests as a heap corruption vulnerability that can be remotely exploited by malicious actors. The issue resides in the browser's profile management system which handles user data persistence and configuration storage across different browsing sessions. When processing crafted HTML content, the vulnerable code path fails to properly manage memory references, leading to scenarios where freed memory locations are accessed after deallocation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed HTML page that triggers the problematic code path within Chrome's profile handling mechanisms. This use-after-free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The Chromium security severity classification of High indicates the substantial risk this vulnerability poses to user systems, as it can be leveraged for remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities in software systems where memory is accessed after it has been freed by the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Chrome users who may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or drive-by download scenarios. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target users without requiring physical access to their systems, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted websites. The heap corruption aspect of this vulnerability can lead to unpredictable behavior including browser crashes, data corruption, or more severe exploitation outcomes that could allow attackers to gain persistent access to affected systems.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome installations to mitigate this vulnerability. The remediation process involves updating to Chrome version 118.0.5993.117 or later where the use-after-free condition has been addressed through proper memory management controls. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems to reduce exposure to potentially malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. This case study exemplifies how seemingly minor memory management flaws in browser components can result in high-severity security risks that require immediate attention and remediation across affected systems.