CVE-2022-0604: Google Chrome Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2022-0604 Overview

CVE-2022-0604 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the Tab Groups feature of Google Chrome prior to version 98.0.4758.102. This memory corruption flaw allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension and engage in specific user interaction to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), which represents one of the most dangerous classes of software weaknesses.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to complete system compromise through heap corruption in the browser process.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 98.0.4758.102
• All platforms running vulnerable Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Chromium-based browsers that haven't applied the upstream fix

Discovery Timeline

• February 14, 2022 - Google releases stable channel update with security fix
• April 5, 2022 - CVE-2022-0604 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-0604

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists within Chrome's Tab Groups functionality, a feature that allows users to organize browser tabs into named, color-coded groups. The flaw stems from improper memory handling during tab group operations, resulting in a heap buffer overflow condition.

This vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit—specifically, a user must install a malicious browser extension and then perform specific actions that trigger the vulnerable code path. The exploitation chain involves serving a crafted HTML page that, combined with the malicious extension's capabilities, can corrupt heap memory structures.

Heap buffer overflows in browser contexts are particularly dangerous because they can potentially be leveraged to bypass browser sandboxing mechanisms, escape process isolation, and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-0604 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the Tab Groups component. The vulnerability occurs when the code responsible for managing tab group data fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before writing data. This insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer, corrupting adjacent memory structures.

The flaw was tracked internally by Google as Chromium Bug Report #1273397. The vulnerable code path is triggered through specific user interactions with tab groups while a malicious extension is active, allowing the crafted HTML content to manipulate the heap memory layout.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based but requires significant user interaction. An attacker must:

1. Convince the target user to install a malicious browser extension
2. Serve a specially crafted HTML page to the victim
3. Wait for the user to engage in specific interactions that trigger the vulnerable Tab Groups code path

The crafted HTML page manipulates how Chrome processes tab group data, ultimately causing heap memory corruption. While the attack requires multiple steps and user interaction, successful exploitation could result in arbitrary code execution within the browser context.

Due to the sensitive nature of the vulnerability and responsible disclosure practices, specific exploitation code is not provided. For technical implementation details, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory and Chromium Bug Report #1273397.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-0604

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of unknown or suspicious browser extensions installed without user knowledge
• Unusual Chrome process memory patterns or crashes related to tab group operations
• Browser crash reports indicating heap corruption in Tab Groups components
• Suspicious network activity from Chrome processes following extension installation

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for installation of browser extensions from untrusted sources
• Implement endpoint detection for Chrome process memory anomalies and unexpected heap allocations
• Deploy application-level monitoring to detect exploitation attempts targeting browser components
• Review Chrome crash dumps for signatures matching heap corruption in tab group functionality

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome's built-in Safe Browsing feature to detect malicious pages
• Implement centralized logging of browser extension installations across the enterprise
• Monitor Chrome update status to ensure all instances are patched to 98.0.4758.102 or later
• Deploy SentinelOne agents to detect post-exploitation activity from browser-based attacks

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-0604

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 98.0.4758.102 or later immediately
• Audit installed browser extensions and remove any that are suspicious or unnecessary
• Implement browser extension whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted extensions
• Enable automatic Chrome updates across all endpoints in the organization

Patch Information

Google addressed this vulnerability in the Chrome 98.0.4758.102 stable channel release on February 14, 2022. The fix properly validates buffer boundaries in the Tab Groups component to prevent heap overflow conditions.

For detailed patch information, see the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement. Organizations should verify Chrome versions across all endpoints and prioritize updating any instances running versions prior to 98.0.4758.102.

Workarounds

• Disable or restrict browser extension installation through Chrome enterprise policies if patching is not immediately possible
• Implement network-level filtering to block known malicious domains that may host exploitation content
• Use browser isolation technologies to contain potential browser-based attacks
• Consider using Chrome's --disable-extensions flag temporarily in high-security environments

# Chrome enterprise policy to restrict extension installation
# Add to Chrome policy configuration (Windows Registry or macOS plist)
# ExtensionInstallBlocklist: ["*"] - Blocks all extensions
# ExtensionInstallAllowlist: ["<extension_id>"] - Whitelist specific extensions

# Verify Chrome version from command line
google-chrome --version
# Ensure version is 98.0.4758.102 or higher

# Force Chrome update check (Linux)
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade google-chrome-stable