CVE-2024-0813 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2024
Use after free in Reading Mode in Google Chrome prior to 121.0.6167.85 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to potentially exploit heap corruption via specific UI interaction. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0813 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's Reading Mode functionality, specifically affecting versions prior to 121.0.6167.85. This flaw resides in the browser's handling of memory management during specific user interactions, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution through malicious extension installation. The issue demonstrates the inherent risks associated with improper memory deallocation and subsequent access patterns that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate heap memory structures. The vulnerability's classification as medium severity by Chromium security team reflects the complexity required to achieve successful exploitation, yet it remains a significant concern given Chrome's widespread usage and the potential for privilege escalation through extension-based attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's Reading Mode component where a freed memory block is accessed after the associated object has been deallocated. This use-after-free condition occurs during the processing of specific user interface interactions within the reading mode context, particularly when handling malicious extension content. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program accesses memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to heap corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability exploits the timing gap between object deallocation and memory reuse, allowing attackers to manipulate the heap state and potentially inject malicious code into the browser process.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0813 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables attackers to leverage malicious browser extensions as initial attack vectors. This attack model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1176, which involves the use of browser extensions for malicious purposes, and T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through compromised applications. The vulnerability requires social engineering to convince users to install malicious extensions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware. Once installed, the malicious extension can trigger the vulnerable code path in Reading Mode, potentially leading to complete browser compromise and subsequent access to user data, cookies, and potentially system-level privileges depending on the execution environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 121.0.6167.85 or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive extension vetting processes and consider restricting browser extension installations to prevent unauthorized additions. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious extension distribution channels. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious extension installations and implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary browser features and restricting extension permissions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the critical need for robust memory management practices in browser applications, particularly those handling user-generated content and third-party extensions.