CVE-2022-1364: Google Chrome V8 Type Confusion RCE Flaw

CVE-2022-1364 Overview

CVE-2022-1364 is a type confusion vulnerability in the V8 Turbofan just-in-time (JIT) compiler within Google Chrome prior to version 100.0.4896.127. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The V8 engine is Chrome's JavaScript runtime, and Turbofan is its optimizing compiler responsible for generating efficient machine code from JavaScript.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild and is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution by simply luring victims to a malicious webpage, requiring no authentication or special privileges.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 100.0.4896.127
• Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable V8 engine versions
• All platforms running affected Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Discovery Timeline

• 2022-04-14 - Google releases security patch in Chrome version 100.0.4896.127
• 2022-07-26 - CVE-2022-1364 published to NVD
• 2025-10-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-1364

Vulnerability Analysis

This type confusion vulnerability (CWE-843) exists in Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, specifically within the Turbofan optimizing compiler. Type confusion occurs when a program allocates or initializes a resource using one type but later accesses that resource using an incompatible type. In the context of V8's Turbofan, the JIT compiler makes incorrect assumptions about the types of JavaScript objects during optimization passes.

When Turbofan incorrectly infers or tracks the type of an object, subsequent operations may treat memory as a different type than what was actually allocated. This mismatch leads to heap corruption, which attackers can leverage to gain arbitrary read/write primitives and ultimately achieve code execution.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through a crafted HTML page containing malicious JavaScript. No user interaction beyond visiting the page is required, and the attack works across all major operating systems where Chrome is deployed.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in incorrect type tracking within V8's Turbofan JIT compilation pipeline. During the optimization phase, Turbofan builds an intermediate representation of JavaScript code and makes assumptions about object types to generate efficient machine code. When these type assumptions are violated at runtime, the generated code operates on memory with incorrect type semantics, leading to type confusion.

Specifically, the vulnerability involves a flaw in how Turbofan handles certain edge cases during type inference and speculation. When the JIT compiler's type predictions are wrong, it can result in accessing object properties or memory regions with an incorrect interpretation of the underlying data layout.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring user interaction in the form of visiting a malicious webpage. An attacker crafts an HTML page containing JavaScript code designed to trigger the type confusion condition in V8's Turbofan compiler. The exploitation flow typically involves:

1. The victim navigates to an attacker-controlled or compromised website
2. Malicious JavaScript triggers the type confusion during JIT compilation
3. The resulting heap corruption is leveraged to gain memory read/write primitives
4. The attacker achieves arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox
5. Additional sandbox escape techniques may be chained for full system compromise

The vulnerability manifests during JavaScript execution when Turbofan's optimized code path is triggered. Attackers typically structure their exploit code to force the JIT compiler into the vulnerable optimization path and then exploit the resulting memory corruption. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Chromium Bug Report #1315901 and the Google Chrome Desktop Update.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-1364

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual browser crashes or instability when visiting specific websites
• Unexpected Chrome renderer process behavior or memory access patterns
• Detection of known exploit kit infrastructure in network traffic
• Suspicious JavaScript execution patterns indicative of JIT spraying or heap manipulation

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome versions older than 100.0.4896.127 in your environment using asset inventory tools
• Deploy browser-based endpoint detection to identify exploitation attempts targeting V8 engine vulnerabilities
• Implement network monitoring for connections to known malicious domains serving Chrome exploits
• Use memory protection technologies that can detect heap corruption and type confusion exploitation techniques

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome's crash reporting to centrally collect and analyze browser crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Monitor Chrome update status across endpoints to ensure timely patching
• Implement DNS and web proxy monitoring to detect access to known exploit infrastructure
• Review endpoint detection logs for signs of sandbox escape following browser exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-1364

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 100.0.4896.127 or later immediately
• Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely deployment of security patches
• Audit all systems for vulnerable Chrome versions and prioritize remediation
• Consider temporary restrictions on browsing untrusted websites until patching is complete

Patch Information

Google addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 100.0.4896.127, released on April 14, 2022. The update is available through Chrome's built-in update mechanism and from the official Google Chrome Desktop Update page. Given that this vulnerability is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, federal agencies and critical infrastructure operators are required to apply patches according to CISA's binding operational directive timelines.

For Linux distributions, additional security advisories have been released, including Gentoo GLSA 202208-25, which provides distribution-specific patching guidance.

Workarounds

• Disable JavaScript execution in Chrome via Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > JavaScript (significantly impacts functionality)
• Use browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation
• Implement network-level filtering to block known malicious websites serving Chrome exploits
• Consider using alternative browsers temporarily if immediate patching is not possible

# Verify Chrome version on Linux/macOS
google-chrome --version

# Check if automatic updates are enabled (Windows Registry)
# reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes

# Force Chrome update check
# Navigate to chrome://settings/help in the browser