CVE-2023-3727 Overview
CVE-2023-3727 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) component of Google Chrome prior to version 115.0.5790.98. A remote attacker can exploit heap corruption by convincing a user to visit a crafted HTML page. Google classified the Chromium security severity as High.
The flaw affects desktop installations of Chrome and downstream browsers built on the Chromium engine. Exploitation requires user interaction but no privileges, and the attack originates over the network. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser renderer process.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger heap corruption in Chrome's WebRTC stack via a malicious web page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in the renderer process.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome versions prior to 115.0.5790.98
- Fedora Linux distributions shipping vulnerable Chromium builds
- Gentoo Linux Chromium packages (addressed in GLSA 202401-34)
Discovery Timeline
- 2023-08-01 - CVE-2023-3727 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-3727
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in WebRTC, the real-time audio and video communication subsystem used by Chrome for peer-to-peer media sessions. Use-after-free occurs when code references heap memory after that memory has been released. An attacker who controls subsequent heap allocations can place attacker-influenced data in the freed region.
When Chrome dereferences the dangling pointer, it operates on attacker-controlled memory. This primitive enables heap corruption and can be chained with other techniques to bypass renderer sandbox mitigations or achieve code execution. The attack vector is network-based and requires a single user interaction, such as opening or being redirected to a malicious page.
Root Cause
The defect lies in WebRTC object lifetime management. A component releases an object while another code path retains a reference to it. The retained reference becomes a dangling pointer, and subsequent use produces undefined behavior on the heap. Public details remain limited because the upstream issue crbug.com/1454086 is access-restricted, which is standard practice for Chromium security bugs until broad patch adoption is reached.
Attack Vector
Exploitation begins with the victim loading a crafted HTML page that drives WebRTC APIs in a sequence designed to trigger the freed-object reuse. The page can use JavaScript to manipulate RTCPeerConnection or related media objects to force the unsafe lifecycle transition. No authentication is required, and the renderer process is the initial execution context. See the Chrome Bug Report #1454086 for the upstream tracking record.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this CVE. Refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory for vendor-published details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-3727
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer process crashes referencing WebRTC modules in crash dump signatures
- Outbound connections from browser processes to unfamiliar STUN or TURN endpoints immediately after visiting an untrusted page
- Unexpected child processes spawned by chrome.exe shortly after WebRTC activity
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across the fleet and flag any build older than 115.0.5790.98 as exposed
- Correlate browser crash telemetry with URL navigation logs to identify pages that consistently destabilize the renderer
- Monitor endpoint detection and response (EDR) telemetry for anomalous code execution or memory allocation patterns within chrome.exe child processes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward browser process crash events and exploit protection (CFG, ACG) alerts to centralized logging
- Track WebRTC signaling traffic to and from non-corporate domains to detect drive-by exploitation attempts
- Alert on browser process anomalies such as renderer escapes, suspicious DLL loads, or unexpected token manipulation
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-3727
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 115.0.5790.98 or later on all managed endpoints
- Apply distribution-specific Chromium updates referenced in the Fedora Package Announcement and Gentoo GLSA 202401-34
- Restart browser sessions after patch deployment to ensure the vulnerable code is unloaded from memory
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2023-3727 in the Chrome Stable channel release 115.0.5790.98 on July 20, 2023. Linux distributions issued downstream updates, including Fedora package updates and Gentoo GLSA 202401-34. Enterprise administrators should validate that automatic update channels are enabled and audit Chrome versions through configuration management tools.
Workarounds
- Disable WebRTC features through enterprise policy using WebRtcAllowLegacyTLSProtocols and related Chrome enterprise settings where business processes permit
- Restrict navigation to untrusted sites via web filtering or browser isolation until patching is complete
- Apply Chrome enterprise policies to enforce minimum browser versions and block downgrade attempts
# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux endpoints
google-chrome --version
# Force update on Debian/Ubuntu managed systems
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade google-chrome-stable
# Enterprise policy snippet to enforce minimum Chrome version (Windows registry)
# HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\TargetVersionPrefix = "115.0.5790.98"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
