CVE-2024-10827 - Use-After-Free in Chrome Serial API Explained with Code & Exploitation

In early 2024, security researchers uncovered a serious vulnerability in Google Chrome’s implementation of the Serial API, tracked as CVE-2024-10827. If you’re curious about browser security or work on web apps that interact with hardware, this is a must-read. This post breaks down the bug, shows simplified code snippets, links to key references, and explains how the exploit works—all in easy English.

What is CVE-2024-10827?

CVE-2024-10827 is a “use-after-free” vulnerability in the Serial component of Google Chrome before version 130..6723.116. This means Chrome’s code accidentally tries to use memory after it’s been released (“freed”). This can allow hackers to corrupt the browser’s memory (heap), potentially leading to code execution or a browser crash simply by tricking you into opening a malicious website.

Component: Serial

- Severity: High (Chromium Security Severity Ratings)
- Original Advisory: Chromium Issue 331116963

How Use-After-Free Looks In Code (Simplified Example)

The exact bug in Chrome’s source is complex, but the general pattern is about dangling pointers—using a pointer after it’s freed.

Here’s an abstract JavaScript example that demonstrates the concept (not the Chrome code, but an illustration):

let port;

async function triggerBug() {
    // Get a Serial port (you'll need permission here)
    [port] = await navigator.serial.getPorts();

    // Open the port
    await port.open({ baudRate: 960 });

    // Now, close the port
    await port.close();

    // The bug was that after close, some handlers still tried to use the old port object:
    port.write('exploit'); // This shouldn't work! But some internal handler tried to access freed memory.
}

triggerBug();

In real Chrome internals, this kind of dangling use can crash, leak info, or lead to remote code execution if memory is manipulated in very specific ways.

How Does the Exploit Work?

1. Victim Visits Malicious Web Page: The attacker convinces a user to visit their crafted HTML page.
2. Malicious JS Interacts with Serial Port: Given permission, the page quickly opens and closes serial ports in a way that confuses Chrome's memory management.
3. Triggering the Use-After-Free: Somebody issues a command using the Serial API after the serial object is already deleted in memory. Chrome tries to access or write to freed memory—heap corruption occurs.
4. Heap Corruption to Code Execution: Skilled attackers might use heap grooming to place malicious code at the reused memory location. When Chrome accesses this spot, the attacker’s code can run in the browser context.

Real-World Exploitation?

Public exploit code is rare for these bugs since a working exploit requires deep internal knowledge and heap manipulation, but the concept is:

Pseudocode Flow

1. Request Serial port.
2. Open and partially use port.
3. Race to close and immediately perform another action.
4. Rely on Chrome's delayed memory free, trick the browser into using "freed" data.
5. (In the right conditions:) Control or crash the browser memory.

Official Fix & Mitigation

Upgrade Chrome to version 130..6723.116 or later. Check with chrome://settings/help.

- Chrome release note with fix
- Chromium source patch (diff)

Key References

- CVE page for CVE-2024-10827
- Chromium bug tracker original issue #331116963
- Google Chrome release notes (June 2024)
- Serial API on MDN

Who is At Risk?

Anyone using Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, or Linux prior to 130..6723.116 is vulnerable—especially if they grant access to serial devices on untrusted websites.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-10827 is a great reminder that modern browsers are incredibly powerful—and complex. Any bug in browser APIs can open the door for attackers, even if it only requires you to visit a web page. Always stay up to date and follow security best practices, especially when hardware access is involved.

*Stay secure and keep an eye on those browser update buttons!*


Want to see more about browser security? Check Google's Chrome Security Blog. If you’re a developer, remember to audit your code for use-after-free patterns like the example above.


*Exclusive post for security enthusiasts. Content compiled from public advisories and educational sources.*

Timeline

Published on: 11/06/2024 17:15:14 UTC
Last modified on: 11/06/2024 18:17:17 UTC