CVE-2024-5845 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/12/2024
Use after free in Audio in Google Chrome prior to 126.0.6478.54 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted PDF file. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5845 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the audio processing subsystem of Google Chrome browser. This flaw exists in versions prior to 126.0.6478.54 and specifically affects the handling of audio components when processing crafted PDF files. The issue stems from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still being accessed or referenced by the application's audio processing logic. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when developers fail to properly track memory allocation and deallocation cycles, leaving potential pathways for malicious exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of PDF files designed to trigger specific audio processing paths within Chrome's rendering engine. When a victim opens a maliciously crafted PDF document, the browser's PDF parser initiates audio processing routines that interact with already freed memory segments. This creates a scenario where an attacker can potentially control the contents of freed memory or manipulate the execution flow to achieve arbitrary code execution. The heap corruption aspect indicates that the freed memory blocks contain critical data structures that, when accessed after deallocation, can lead to unpredictable behavior including privilege escalation or system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who frequently interact with PDF documents from untrusted sources. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks without requiring local system access. The medium severity classification according to Chromium security standards reflects the complexity of exploitation required, though the potential impact remains severe. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code in the context of the Chrome sandbox, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the underlying operating system and user privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.54 to mitigate this risk. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict PDF file validation policies, enabling sandboxing features, and monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts through crafted PDF file delivery mechanisms. Regular security awareness training for users regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents remains crucial in reducing the attack surface. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of successful exploitation attempts within the organization's network infrastructure.