CVE-2024-7533 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2024
Use after free in Sharing in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 127.0.6533.99 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 • 03/15/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Google Chrome's sharing functionality on iOS platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 127.0.6533.99. The flaw occurs within the browser's implementation of web sharing APIs that enable websites to initiate sharing operations through the native operating system. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still referenced or accessed by subsequent operations, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors that occur when program code references memory after it has been freed by the system. The Chromium security severity classification of High reflects the potential for remote code execution and heap corruption that could be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers the sharing API functionality in a manner that causes the browser to free memory associated with sharing objects while simultaneously maintaining references to those objects. When the application attempts to access the freed memory, it results in heap corruption that can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code. This particular implementation flaw affects the iOS variant of Chrome, which relies on the underlying operating system's sharing mechanisms while maintaining its own JavaScript interfaces for web developers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it potentially allows attackers to bypass security restrictions and execute code with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability presents significant risks for users who browse the web with affected Chrome versions, as the attack surface includes any website that might implement sharing functionality or utilize web APIs that trigger the vulnerable code path. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through drive-by downloads or malicious websites without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page. The heap corruption could potentially be exploited to gain control over the browser process, leading to data theft, session hijacking, or further system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for valid accounts for initial access, as the exploitation chain typically involves web-based delivery mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 127.0.6533.99 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in the sharing API implementation. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content attempting to trigger the vulnerable code paths. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing enforcement and strict content security policies can provide additional layers of defense. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all endpoints are updated promptly, as the use-after-free nature makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for remote exploitation. The patch addresses the underlying memory management issues by ensuring proper object lifecycle management and preventing access to freed memory blocks in the sharing API implementation.