CVE-2023-1217 Overview
CVE-2023-1217 is a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in the Crash reporting component of Google Chrome on Windows. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 111.0.5563.64. A remote attacker who had already compromised the renderer process could exploit this vulnerability via a crafted HTML page to read potentially sensitive information from process memory. Chromium classified the security severity as High, while NVD assigned a medium CVSS rating reflecting the prerequisite of a compromised renderer. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-787] (Out-of-Bounds Write) and was addressed in the Chrome 111 Stable channel release.
Critical Impact
Attackers who control the renderer process can leak sensitive memory contents from the Chrome crash reporting handler on Windows.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on Windows prior to 111.0.5563.64
- Microsoft Windows (host operating system)
- Chromium-based browsers sharing the affected crash reporting code path
Discovery Timeline
- 2023-03-07 - CVE-2023-1217 published to NVD
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-1217
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's Crash reporting subsystem on Windows. When the browser handles crash report data, a stack-allocated buffer is written to without sufficient bounds checking, producing an out-of-bounds write condition on the stack. Because the affected code runs in a more privileged Chrome process, an attacker who has already compromised the renderer can use the flaw to read memory outside the intended boundaries. The result is disclosure of sensitive process memory rather than direct code execution, which is consistent with the confidentiality-only impact reflected in the CVSS vector.
Exploitation requires user interaction with a crafted HTML page and a pre-existing renderer compromise, typically achieved by chaining a separate renderer-side bug. This positions CVE-2023-1217 as a useful link in a multi-stage exploit chain rather than a single-shot remote code execution primitive.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper bounds validation on a stack buffer used during crash report processing, classified as [CWE-787]. Input controlled or influenced by the compromised renderer reaches the crash handler and is written past the buffer boundary, corrupting adjacent stack data and exposing memory contents back to the attacker channel.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based with required user interaction. The attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that first compromises the renderer process, then triggers the vulnerable crash reporting path to leak memory. No additional privileges are required beyond renderer compromise. See the Chrome Bug Report #1412658 and the Google Chrome Desktop Update for vendor details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-1217
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Chrome crash dumps or crashpad_handler.exe activity coinciding with browsing sessions to untrusted sites
- Chrome browser versions older than 111.0.5563.64 reporting through endpoint inventory
- Anomalous child process spawning or memory access patterns from chrome.exe renderer processes
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across managed Windows endpoints and flag any build below 111.0.5563.64
- Monitor process telemetry for renderer compromise indicators that typically precede exploitation of this bug, such as sandbox escape attempts
- Correlate browser crash report generation with visits to untrusted domains in proxy and DNS logs
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enterprise reporting of Chrome version compliance through Chrome Browser Cloud Management or equivalent tooling
- Forward Windows Error Reporting and Chrome Crashpad events to a centralized log platform for analysis
- Alert on repeated renderer crashes from a single tenant or device, which can indicate exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-1217
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 111.0.5563.64 or later on all Windows endpoints
- Restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched binaries are loaded
- Verify Chrome auto-update is enabled and unblocked at the network and policy level
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2023-1217 in the Chrome 111 Stable channel release for Desktop. Administrators should deploy 111.0.5563.64 or later for Windows. Reference the Stable Channel Update for Desktop advisory for full release details.
Workarounds
- No official workaround exists; apply the vendor patch as the primary remediation
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites and enforce site isolation policies until patching is complete
- Deploy Chrome enterprise policies that disable extensions and content from untrusted origins to reduce renderer compromise risk
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
