CVE-2024-2886 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2024
Use after free in WebCodecs in Google Chrome prior to 123.0.6312.86 allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2886 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the WebCodecs API implementation in Google Chrome browsers. This issue affects versions prior to 123.0.6312.86 and demonstrates how improper memory management in web platform APIs can create severe security risks for users. The WebCodecs API provides developers with access to low-level video and audio processing capabilities, enabling direct manipulation of media data through JavaScript interfaces. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of object lifetimes within the memory management system, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit dangling pointers that persist after objects have been freed from memory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers specific conditions leading to the use of freed memory locations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform arbitrary read and write operations within the browser process memory space, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries. The underlying cause stems from improper reference counting and object lifecycle management within the WebCodecs implementation, where objects may be destroyed while still referenced by other components or callbacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, specifically addressing use-after-free conditions that occur when a pointer continues to reference memory that has already been freed. The Chromium security team classifies this as a high-severity issue due to its potential for remote code execution and privilege escalation within the browser sandbox.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-2886 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables attackers to manipulate browser internals and potentially access sensitive data. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows remote adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, which may include access to local files, network communications, and user data. This risk is particularly concerning given that WebCodecs is commonly used in modern web applications for video streaming, real-time communication, and media processing, making the attack surface broad and accessible. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, phishing campaigns, or compromised web applications that utilize WebCodecs functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for Windows Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to execute malicious code, and T1566 for Phishing, since the initial compromise often occurs through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-2886 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 123.0.6312.86 and later, which contain patches addressing the memory management issues in the WebCodecs implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating their Chrome installations across all endpoints, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and sandboxing configurations that limit the potential impact of successful exploits. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious web pages that may attempt to leverage this vulnerability, while also conducting regular vulnerability assessments of web applications that utilize WebCodecs APIs. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper object lifecycle management and ensuring that references are properly invalidated when objects are freed, preventing the exploitation of dangling pointers that could lead to arbitrary memory access.