CVE-2024-3834 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Use after free in Downloads in Google Chrome prior to 124.0.6367.60 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 • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3834 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the downloads functionality of Google Chrome browsers. This issue affects versions prior to 124.0.6367.60 and constitutes a high-severity chromium security flaw that could enable remote code execution through maliciously crafted web pages. The vulnerability resides in the browser's handling of download operations and demonstrates how improper memory management can create persistent security risks for users.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation within Chrome's download subsystem. When processing certain HTML elements or download requests, the browser fails to properly manage memory references, leading to a situation where freed memory locations are still accessed by subsequent operations. This classic use-after-free condition occurs when the application continues to reference memory that has been deallocated, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the heap structure and execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of downloads and can be triggered through crafted HTML content that exploits the browser's memory management routines.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3834 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it provides attackers with a pathway for remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker could host a malicious webpage containing specially crafted HTML elements designed to trigger the vulnerable code path during download processing. Once executed, the heap corruption could allow the attacker to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users need only visit a malicious website to be at risk, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in software applications. The flaw demonstrates how improper memory management practices can create persistent security weaknesses that remain exploitable across multiple system configurations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through web services, and T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should immediately deploy the patched Chrome version 124.0.6367.60 or later to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious page is loaded. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts.
The remediation strategy should include immediate deployment of the patched browser version, along with comprehensive user education about avoiding untrusted websites. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network logs and implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary download features and restricting access to potentially malicious domains. Regular security assessments should verify that all browser instances have been updated and that no legacy versions remain in use within the organization's infrastructure.