CVE-2024-6290 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2024
Use after free in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 126.0.6478.126 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6290 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Dawn graphics library component of Google Chrome. This flaw exists in versions prior to 126.0.6478.126 and constitutes a high-severity issue according to Chromium's security classification. The Dawn library serves as a graphics abstraction layer that enables web applications to access graphics processing capabilities through WebGPU API implementations. When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate heap memory in ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the realm of memory safety vulnerabilities that have historically been exploited for privilege escalation and system infiltration attacks.
The underlying technical flaw occurs when the Dawn graphics library fails to properly manage object lifecycles during memory deallocation processes. Specifically, the vulnerability manifests when a graphics object is freed from memory but references to that object persist within the application's memory space. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access memory that has already been released, leading to heap corruption. The condition arises from inadequate null pointer checks and improper memory management protocols within the graphics rendering pipeline. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that trigger specific sequences of graphics operations, causing the Dawn component to execute the use-after-free pattern. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6290 extends beyond simple memory corruption, presenting significant risks to web application security and user data integrity. Remote code execution capabilities enabled by this vulnerability allow attackers to gain control over affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting a malicious webpage that leverages WebGPU APIs to trigger the specific memory management flaw in Dawn. This vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions and represents a critical threat vector for both individual users and enterprise environments. The high severity classification indicates that successful exploitation can result in full system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. Organizations must consider this vulnerability as a priority for immediate remediation given its potential for widespread exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6290 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of Google Chrome, specifically version 126.0.6478.126 or later. System administrators should implement immediate patch deployment across all affected endpoints and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, restricting access to potentially malicious websites through content filtering, and enabling browser security features such as sandboxing and strict content security policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that fall under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address browser-based memory corruption vulnerabilities.