CVE-2024-2626 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
Out of bounds read in Swiftshader in Google Chrome prior to 123.0.6312.58 allowed a remote attacker to perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2626 represents a critical out of bounds read flaw within Swiftshader, a software rasterizer component integrated into Google Chrome browsers. This particular implementation resides within the graphics processing pipeline where Swiftshader handles rendering operations for web content. The vulnerability manifests when Chrome processes specially crafted HTML pages that trigger memory access patterns beyond allocated boundaries. The issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 123.0.6312.58, indicating that this flaw existed within the browser's graphics rendering subsystem for an extended period. Such vulnerabilities in graphics libraries pose significant risks as they can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical exploitation of this out of bounds read vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within Swiftshader's memory management routines. When processing complex graphical elements or WebGL content, the renderer fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. This allows attackers to craft HTML pages containing malicious graphics commands that cause the software rasterizer to read data from memory locations outside its intended boundaries. The out of bounds memory access can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions, including cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in the browser's memory space. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory safety, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-2626 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the browser context. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and potentially escalate privileges through memory corruption techniques. The medium severity classification by Chromium security team reflects the significant risk this vulnerability poses to user privacy and system integrity. The exploitation requires no local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. This vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions regardless of their security awareness or system configurations, as the attack vector operates entirely through web content rendering.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2626 primarily involve immediate browser updates to versions 123.0.6312.58 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that may host exploit code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through web-based attacks. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing additional browser hardening measures such as sandboxing configurations and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts.