CVE-2024-0807 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2024
Use after free in Web Audio in Google Chrome prior to 121.0.6167.85 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0807 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Web Audio API implementation of Google Chrome browsers. This flaw exists in versions prior to 121.0.6167.85 and constitutes a high-severity issue according to Chromium's security classification. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the browser's audio processing subsystem, specifically affecting how the Web Audio API handles memory allocation and deallocation during audio processing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a classic use-after-free scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed by the application. In the context of Chrome's Web Audio API, this occurs when audio processing nodes are manipulated in a manner that causes memory to be deallocated while references to that memory remain active. The flaw allows attackers to potentially control the memory layout and execute arbitrary code through carefully crafted HTML pages that leverage audio processing capabilities. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory condition, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0807 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides remote attackers with a pathway to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios. Attackers can leverage the heap corruption to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment. The exploitation requires a sophisticated understanding of memory layout and browser internals, but the accessibility of modern web-based attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0807 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 121.0.6167.85 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, as the vulnerability exists in a widely used browser component. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies that restrict audio processing capabilities, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for malicious audio-related content, and maintaining network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider browser hardening configurations that disable unnecessary audio processing features and implement sandboxing controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The patch addresses the underlying memory management issue by correcting the improper free and access patterns within the Web Audio API implementation, thereby preventing the heap corruption that enables remote code execution.