CVE-2024-7256 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2024
Insufficient data validation in Dawn in Google Chrome on Android prior to 127.0.6533.88 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7256 represents a critical security flaw within the Dawn graphics framework component of Google Chrome on Android systems. This issue stems from inadequate data validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize input parameters before processing. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 127.0.6533.88 and presents a significant risk to mobile users who may encounter maliciously crafted HTML content that exploits this weakness. The Dawn framework serves as a crucial component in Chrome's rendering pipeline, handling graphics processing and display operations for web content, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise mobile browser environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient input validation within the graphics processing subsystem where malicious data can bypass normal security checks. When a remote attacker crafts a specially designed HTML page containing malformed graphics data or JavaScript commands, the inadequate validation allows this malicious input to be processed directly by the Dawn framework without proper sanitization. This processing failure creates an execution path where arbitrary code can be injected and subsequently executed within the browser context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw operates at a low level within Chrome's graphics handling architecture, making it particularly dangerous as it can leverage the browser's elevated privileges to perform unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7256 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to escalate privileges and potentially access sensitive user data. Mobile users running affected Chrome versions face significant risk when visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links that contain the crafted HTML payload. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to devices or complex attack vectors to deliver malicious payloads. This makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently browse the web and may encounter malicious content through various channels including social engineering, compromised websites, or drive-by download scenarios. The high severity classification according to Chromium security standards reflects the potential for complete system compromise and data theft.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates to the latest Chrome versions that contain patches addressing the validation flaws in the Dawn framework. Organizations and individual users should prioritize updating their Chrome browsers to version 127.0.6533.88 or later to eliminate exposure to this threat. Additionally, implementing network-level security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide an additional layer of protection against malicious HTML content. Browser security enhancements including sandboxing mechanisms and strict content security policies should be enabled to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to bypass validation checks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the browser exploitation phase of cyber operations. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and clicking on suspicious links, as social engineering remains a common delivery method for such exploits.