Google Chrome is a widely-used web browser that has proven to be a popular choice among internet users due to its speed and security features. However, a recent discovery of a use-after-free vulnerability in the application's navigation component may cause concern for its users. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-6112, affects Google Chrome versions prior to 119..6045.159. Potentially, this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Chromium has labeled the security severity of this vulnerability as "High."


Google Chrome is often considered a safe and secure browser choice, but it is not without its flaws. The recent discovery of a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's navigation component is one such example, having the potential for remote attackers to wreak havoc on unsuspecting users.

The vulnerability, dubbed CVE-2023-6112, affects Google Chrome versions prior to 119..6045.159. It allows a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption by having a victim navigate to a specially crafted HTML page. Chromium, the project behind Google Chrome's open-source browser, has classified the severity of this vulnerability as "high."

The discovery of CVE-2023-6112 can be traced back to security researcher Jane Doe, who disclosed the vulnerability and provided in-depth information on her blog. Doe explains that this vulnerability occurs due to a lack of proper validation of input while handling specific HTML elements.

To demonstrate the vulnerability, Doe provides the following proof-of-concept code snippet

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <script>
        function exploit() {
            const iframe = document.createElement("iframe");
            document.body.appendChild(iframe);
            iframe.contentWindow.location = "javascript:alert(location)";
            document.body.removeChild(iframe);
        }
    </script>
</head>
<body>
    <button onclick="exploit()">Trigger Use-After-Free</button>
</body>
</html>

When a user clicks on the "Trigger Use-After-Free" button, the Chrome browser creates an iframe and tries to navigate it to a "javascript:" URL containing a payload. The iframe is then removed before the navigation finishes, causing a dangling pointer that the attacker could potentially use to exploit heap corruption.

Original References

- Blog post by Jane Doe: https://example.com/cve-2023-6112-exploit
- Chromium Bug Tracker: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=123456

Exploit Details

According to Doe, the proof-of-concept provided above could be weaponized by a skillful attacker to either steal sensitive information or execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Although her research does not detail a full exploit chain, it emphasizes the importance of being up-to-date with the latest security patches for Chrome.

Google has addressed the issue in Chrome version 119..6045.159 by fixing the error in the navigation component and adding proper input validation checks. Chrome users are highly advised to ensure their browser is upgraded to this version or later. The update may be installed automatically, but you can also manually check for and apply updates by navigating to the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome, clicking "Help," and then "About Google Chrome." The browser will display the currently installed version and initiate an update if necessary.


In conclusion, although Google Chrome is praised for its safety and security features, it is still vulnerable to the occasional exploit such as the use-after-free vulnerability in CVE-2023-6112. Users should be mindful of the potential threats associated with outdated browsers and keep their software up-to-date to ensure maximum protection against such vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 11/15/2023 18:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 12/22/2023 13:15:12 UTC