CVE-2024-5838 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/12/2024
Type Confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 126.0.6478.54 allowed a remote attacker to perform out of bounds memory access via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5838 represents a critical type confusion issue within the V8 JavaScript engine used in Google Chrome browsers. This flaw exists in versions prior to 126.0.6478.54 and constitutes a high-severity security risk that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted HTML web pages. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during JavaScript execution, creating conditions where the engine incorrectly interprets data types leading to memory access violations. Such type confusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can result in arbitrary code execution when exploited by attackers who craft specific malicious web content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the V8 engine's type system implementation where it fails to properly validate type transitions during object manipulation. When processing crafted JavaScript code, the engine may incorrectly assume an object maintains a specific type while it actually contains different data structures, leading to out-of-bounds memory access patterns. This type confusion occurs during the execution of JavaScript operations that involve object property access, method calls, or memory allocation routines where the engine's type checker fails to enforce proper type boundaries. The flaw specifically affects how V8 handles objects that undergo dynamic type changes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute unintended operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5838 extends beyond simple browser exploitation to potentially enable sophisticated attack vectors including remote code execution and privilege escalation. An attacker could craft a malicious webpage that, when visited by an affected browser user, triggers the type confusion condition and allows arbitrary code execution on the victim's system. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted web content, and the remote nature of the attack means users do not need to interact with malicious files directly. The vulnerability can be leveraged to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms, making it a significant threat to user security.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to mitigate this vulnerability, as the Chromium security severity classification indicates a high risk of exploitation. The recommended mitigation involves updating to Chrome version 126.0.6478.54 or later, which includes patches addressing the type confusion issue in V8. Security teams should also implement additional protective measures such as content security policies, web application firewalls, and browser hardening configurations to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper incident response procedures to quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-479 and ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for cybersecurity teams implementing comprehensive browser security strategies.