CVE-2024-3839 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Out of bounds read in Fonts in Google Chrome prior to 124.0.6367.60 allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the font processing subsystem of google chrome browsers. The issue affects versions prior to 124.0.6367.60 and stems from inadequate input validation when parsing font data within html pages. The flaw occurs during the rendering process when chrome encounters specially crafted font files or font-related html elements that trigger memory access beyond allocated boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125 which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure. The security impact is classified as medium severity by chromium security team but represents a significant risk as it enables remote attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from process memory through carefully constructed web content.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious html page containing malformed font data that, when processed by chrome, triggers the out-of-bounds memory read. When the browser attempts to render such content, it accesses memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing information such as stack contents, heap data, or other process memory segments that may contain sensitive information. This memory exposure could include cryptographic keys, user session data, or other confidential information that applications store in memory. The vulnerability specifically targets the font handling components of the browser engine which are responsible for processing various font formats including truetype, opentype, and other font specifications that web pages might reference.
Operationally this vulnerability creates a significant risk for users browsing the web as it can be exploited through standard web navigation without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through typical web content including embedded fonts or font references in css stylesheets. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure that might be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation attempts such as credential theft, session hijacking, or other advanced persistent threats. The medium severity classification indicates that while the immediate impact may not be catastrophic, the potential for escalation makes it a serious concern for security practitioners monitoring browser security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 124.0.6367.60 and later where the out-of-bounds read has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious font-related content, deploying browser security extensions that provide additional sandboxing, and monitoring network traffic for potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of affected chrome versions within their network. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving information gathering and credential access through browser-based exploitation methods. The patching process should be prioritized in accordance with the cvss scoring system and organization security policies, with particular attention given to high-risk environments where sensitive data processing occurs. Regular security assessments should include verification that all chrome installations have been updated to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in the font rendering subsystem.