CVE-2024-8637 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2024
Use after free in Media Router in Google Chrome on Android prior to 128.0.6613.137 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 • 03/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the Media Router component of Google Chrome for Android systems. The flaw exists within the memory management handling of media streaming functionality that allows remote attackers to manipulate heap memory structures through maliciously crafted web pages. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security standards, indicating significant potential for exploitation and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation handling within the Media Router module. When Chrome processes media routing requests through the affected component, it fails to properly validate memory references after objects have been freed from the heap. This creates a window where attacker-controlled HTML content can trigger the execution of malicious code by manipulating freed memory locations, leading to potential heap corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw specifically affects Android versions of Chrome prior to 128.0.6613.137, making the attack surface particularly relevant for mobile users who may not have received the latest security updates.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Android users who browse the internet with outdated Chrome versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that trigger the Media Router functionality, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote exploitation capability means users do not need to download or install anything additional to be affected, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The heap corruption aspect allows for various attack vectors including privilege escalation, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in memory management. From an attack framework perspective, this issue maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Android devices running Chrome versions below 128.0.6613.137. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious media routing requests, and educating users about avoiding untrusted websites. The remediation process should also include verifying patch integrity and ensuring all Android devices receive the security update promptly to prevent exploitation attempts.