CVE-2024-1284 Overview
CVE-2024-1284 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Mojo IPC (Inter-Process Communication) component of Google Chrome. This memory corruption flaw exists in Chrome versions prior to 121.0.6167.160 and can be exploited remotely through a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to heap corruption and arbitrary code execution. Chromium has rated this vulnerability with high security severity.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit heap corruption through maliciously crafted web content, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution in the context of the browser process without any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome prior to version 121.0.6167.160
- Fedora 38 (via Chromium package)
- Fedora 39 (via Chromium package)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-02-07 - CVE-2024-1284 published to NVD
- 2025-05-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-1284
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a dangerous memory corruption condition that occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it references has been freed. In the context of Google Chrome's Mojo component, this creates a scenario where freed heap memory can be reallocated for attacker-controlled data, enabling exploitation of the corrupted memory state.
Mojo is Chrome's IPC subsystem responsible for communication between different processes in Chrome's multi-process architecture. A use-after-free condition in this critical component is particularly severe because Mojo handles inter-process messaging between the browser, renderer, and utility processes.
The attack requires no privileges and no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Root Cause
The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's Mojo IPC implementation. When a Mojo object is freed but a reference to that memory location is retained and subsequently used, the program operates on stale data. This dangling pointer condition allows attackers to manipulate the freed memory region through heap spraying or other memory manipulation techniques, potentially redirecting program execution to attacker-controlled code.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based, requiring only that a victim navigate to a malicious web page. The crafted HTML page triggers the use-after-free condition in the Mojo component through specially designed JavaScript or HTML content that manipulates the timing and order of object allocations and deallocations in the heap.
Exploitation typically involves:
- Triggering the allocation of a Mojo object
- Causing the object to be freed while retaining a reference
- Spraying the heap with attacker-controlled data to occupy the freed memory region
- Triggering use of the dangling pointer to redirect execution
For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker #41494539 and the Google Chrome Update Announcement.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-1284
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual Chrome process crashes or memory access violations in the Mojo component
- Unexpected child process spawning from Chrome browser processes
- Network connections to suspicious domains immediately following browser activity
- Chrome crash reports indicating heap corruption in mojo related modules
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for Chrome versions older than 121.0.6167.160 across enterprise environments
- Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify unusual process behavior from Chrome processes
- Implement web content filtering to block known malicious domains serving exploit kits
- Use memory integrity monitoring tools to detect heap corruption attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Chrome's built-in crash reporting and monitor for Mojo-related crashes
- Implement network traffic analysis to detect suspicious patterns following browser activity
- Deploy SentinelOne agents to monitor for post-exploitation behavior such as unexpected code execution from browser processes
- Audit browser extension installations and monitor for malicious extensions that may leverage this vulnerability
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-1284
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 121.0.6167.160 or later immediately
- Enable automatic updates for Chrome across all enterprise endpoints
- For Fedora users, apply the latest Chromium package updates via dnf update chromium
- Consider enabling Chrome's Site Isolation feature for additional exploit mitigation
- Deploy endpoint protection with exploit mitigation capabilities
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 121.0.6167.160, released in February 2024. The patch corrects the memory management issue in the Mojo component to prevent the use-after-free condition.
For official patch details, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Channel Update.
Fedora users should apply updates from the official repositories:
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing to trusted websites until patching is complete
- Consider using an alternative browser temporarily in high-risk environments
- Implement network-level filtering to block known exploit delivery domains
- Enable Chrome's Enhanced Safe Browsing mode for additional protection against malicious pages
# Check current Chrome version and update on Linux
google-chrome --version
# For Fedora systems, update Chromium package
sudo dnf update chromium
# Verify the update was applied
chromium-browser --version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
