CVE-2024-6291 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2024
Use after free in Swiftshader 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-2024-6291 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Swiftshader, a software rasterizer component integrated into Google Chrome. This flaw exists in versions prior to 126.0.6478.126 and poses a significant risk to user security as it can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted HTML content. The vulnerability specifically affects the heap memory management within the Swiftshader rendering engine, which is responsible for software-based graphics processing when hardware acceleration is unavailable or disabled.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the Swiftshader component. When processing certain HTML elements that trigger graphics rendering operations, the system fails to properly validate memory references after objects have been freed from the heap. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the execution flow by controlling the memory layout and potentially executing arbitrary code. The use-after-free condition occurs when the application continues to reference memory locations that have already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote code execution attacks that can be delivered through web browsers without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The Chromium security severity rating of High indicates that this flaw can be reliably exploited by remote attackers, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. Attackers can craft HTML pages that, when rendered by Chrome, trigger the vulnerable code path in Swiftshader, potentially allowing them to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant escalation vector that could lead to full system compromise.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-6291 primarily involves updating Google Chrome to version 126.0.6478.126 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the heap corruption issue. Organizations should prioritize this update as a critical security measure, particularly given the high severity rating and remote exploitability. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors, and represents a common attack pattern in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to memory corruption exploits and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.