CVE-2024-5159 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 05/22/2024
Heap buffer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 125.0.6422.76 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5159 resides within the ANGLE graphics library component of Google Chrome, representing a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 125.0.6422.76. This vulnerability manifests as a high-severity issue according to Chromium's security classification, indicating significant potential for exploitation by remote attackers. The flaw specifically enables an out-of-bounds memory read condition when processing crafted HTML content, creating a pathway for unauthorized memory access that could lead to system compromise. ANGLE, which stands for Accelerated Graphics Language, serves as a graphics library that translates OpenGL ES commands into DirectX commands on Windows platforms, making it a critical component in Chrome's rendering pipeline.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the heap memory management of the ANGLE implementation. When Chrome processes HTML content containing maliciously crafted elements, the graphics rendering engine fails to validate array indices or buffer sizes before accessing memory locations. This oversight creates a condition where an attacker can manipulate memory access patterns to read data from unauthorized memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability suggests that the flaw occurs in dynamically allocated memory segments, making it particularly challenging to predict and mitigate. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued graphics rendering libraries across various platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5159 extends beyond simple data exposure, as remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The out-of-bounds memory read capability provides attackers with the potential to access sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data. This vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in modern threat landscapes where users frequently browse untrusted websites. The attack vector through crafted HTML pages aligns with common web application attack patterns and represents a significant risk to user privacy and system integrity. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can potentially execute malicious code through compromised browser sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5159 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in Chrome version 125.0.6422.76 and subsequent releases. Organizations should prioritize updating their Chrome installations to the patched versions, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, enabling sandboxing features, and deploying content security policies to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the vulnerability may be targeted in zero-day attack campaigns. The remediation process should involve thorough testing of updated browser versions to ensure compatibility with existing applications and systems while maintaining security posture against similar vulnerabilities in graphics rendering components.